Textbook of Urogynaecology - University of Cape Town

Textbook o\{JJ
Urogynaecology

Editors:

Stephen Jeffery
Peter de Jong

Textbook of /7y
Urogynaecology

Editors:

Stephen Jeffery
Peter de Jong

Developed by the

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

University of Cape Town

Edited by Stephen Jeffery and Peter de Jong

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Contents

List of contributors 1

Foreword 2

The Urogynaecological History 3

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Urinary incontinence:

Definitions and overview. 8

Examination and the POP-Q 17

Essential Urodynamics 23

Medical Management of the Overactive Bladder 26

Intractable OAB: Advanced Management Strategies 40

The Treatment of Stress Incontinence 45

Management of Voiding Disorders 55

Sexual Function in women with Incontinence 64

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in Women 71

Neurogenic Bladder 76

Interstitial Cystitis 95

Introduction to Pelvic Organ Prolapse 97

Pathoaetiolgy of Prolapse 108

Conservative Management of Pelvic Organ Prolapse 1 19

Surgical Management of Urogenital Prolapse 126

Sacrocolpopexy 133

Pelvic Floor Muscle Rehabilitaion 137

Management of Faecal Incontinence 149

Use of Mesh, Grafts and Kits in POP surgery 154

Management of Third and Fourth degree tears 181

Management of Urogenital Fistulae 186

Role of the laparoscope in Urogynaecology 198

Suture Options in Pelvic Surgery 201

Thromboprophylaxis in Urogynaecological Surgery 213

Contributors

Corina Avni

Women's Health Physiotherapist
Lavender House
Kingsbury Hospital
Claremont
Cape Town

Dick Barnes

Department of Urology
University of Cape Town

Hennie Cronje

Department of Obstetrics and

Gynaecology

University of the Free State

Peter de Jong

Department of Urogynaecology
University of Cape Town

Etienne Henn

Department of Obstetrics and

Gynaecology

University of the Free State

Barry Jacobson

Department of Haematology
University of Witwatersrand

Stephen Jeffery

Department of Urogynaecology
University of Cape Town

Suren Ramphal

Department of Obstetrics and

Gynaecology

University of Natal

Peter Roos

Department of Urogynaecology
University of Cape Town

Trudie Smith

Department of Obstetrics and

Gynaecology

University of the Witwatersrand

Douglas Stupart

Department of Colorectal Surgery
University of Cape Town

Paul Swart

Department of Obstetrics and

Gynaecology

University of Pretoria

Kobus van Rensburg

Department of Obstetrics and

Gynaecology

University of Stellenbosch

Frans van Wijk

Pretoria Urology Hospital
Pretoria

Foreword

First Edition of Textbook of Urogynaecology

Urogynaecology is an exciting and dynamic subspecialty. The last decade
has seen a rapid advance in the management options available to the
gynaecologist in treating women with pelvic floor dysfunction. Stress
incontinence surgery was revolutionised by the development of the TVT
and exciting long term data has confirmed this device as a gold standard
in the management of SUI. Overactive bladder has seen the launch of
a number of new anticholinergic drugs with better side-effect profiles
and dosing schedules. We also now have some alternatives to the drugs
including Botulinum Toxin A and neuromodulation. We are developing
a greater understanding of the role of childbirth and pregnancy in pelvic
floor dysfunction. The last three years has seen the launch of intriguing
pelvic floor replacement systems and although we are some way off from
achieving long term data on these devices, this is no doubt an important
step in the evolution of pelvic floor surgery.

This book has been written by a number of authors from different parts
of South Africa. The field of urogynaecology is still in its infancy and we
therefore have many unanswered questions. In this volume, the reader
will therefore encounter varying opinions. There is a significant amount
of overlap and difference of opinion and we hope this will stimulate the
reader to read widely and formulate his or her own opinion.

The electronic format of this text has made it possible to offer it to the
reader at an affordable price. We trust that this book will contribute to
a better understanding and management of South African women with
pelvic floor dysfunction. We dedicate it to the women of South Africa.

A special thanks to Robertha and Anthea Abrahams for secretarial work,
and Dr Julie van den Berg for assistance with proof reading.

The Editors

Chapter 1
The Urogynaecological History

Stephen Jeffery

Pelvic floor dysfunction is
associated with multiple
symptoms including bladder,
bowel and sexual complaints. In
addition, women may present
with neurological symptoms,
psychological issues and
relationship dysfunction. It is
therefore imperative that the
history and examination are
performed in a comprehensive
fashion.

Urogynaecological symptoms
are never life-threatening but
they can have a profound impact
on the women's quality of life.
Clinical assessment therefore
aims to determine the extent of
the impairment on quality of life
and thereby institute the most
appropriate route of investigation
and management.

Clinicians use the traditional
approach of history and
examination. Symptoms as elicited
by the traditional interview by

the doctor have been shown to be
fraught with subjective influences.
A number of questionnaires are
now available which are able to
elicit symptoms in a standardised
form and quantify them. This is
particularly useful in a research
setting but these instruments
are now increasingly being
used in day-to-day practice.
Similarly, the examination of the
urogynaeological patient has
become more scientific with the
advent of more detailed and
scientific prolapse scoring systems.

History

Urinary Symptoms

Frequency

This is defined as the number of
voids during waking hours. Normal
frequency is considered to be
between four and seven voids a
day.

Nocturia

This is the number of times a
woman has to awake from sleep to
pass urine. This varies with the age
of the woman, with an increase
reported in woman above the age
of 70 years where normal would
be considered to be twice at night,
three times for women over 80
and four times for women over 90
years of age.

Incontinence

Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence
are notoriously difficult to
evaluate. The International
Continence Society defines
this as the "involuntary loss
of urine which is a social or
hygienic problem and objectively
demonstrable".

Stress Incontinence

This is the involuntary loss of urine
with a rise in intra-abdominal
pressure. Factors that commonly
elicit stress incontinence include
running, laughing, coughing,
sneezing and standing up from a
seated position.

Urinary urgency

This is the compelling desire to
void which is difficult to defer.
It must be differentiated from
urinary urge which is a normal
desire to void which can be

comfortably deferred by the
woman.

Urgency Incontinence

Here, the women describes the
symptoms of urgency and she is
unable to get to the toilet in time
and develops incontinence as a
result.

Determining the severity of
Incontinence

It is important to make a clinical
attempt to determine the severity
of the incontinence symptoms. The
woman could be asked to quantify
the symptoms on a scale of to
10. When this is done using a chart
it is called a visual analogue scale
(VAS). Many women present with
mixed symptoms of both stress and
urge incontinence and by asking
them to quantify each symptom
using the visual analogue score,
we are able to determine which is
more severe.

The patient should also be asked
about the use of continence aids
such as pads and how often she
changes her underwear. The
number of incontinence episodes
per day can also be indicative of
the severity of the condition.

Symptoms of voiding
dysfunction

These symptoms are not as
common in women as in men
but if present, should prompt
the appropriate investigation of
urinary residual and flow rate.
These symptoms include:
Hesitancy
Straining to void
Incomplete Emptying
Post- Micturition dribbling
Poor Stream
Double Voiding

Bladder pain

Women with bladder pain should
be questioned in detail regarding
the nature and occurrence
of the symptoms. Pain that is
relieved with passing urine may
be associated with Interstitial
Cystitis/ Painful Bladder Syndrome.
Women with pain as a significant
symptom should be evaluated
with cystoscopy and biopsy since
pain may also be associated with
tumours and stones.

Urethral Pain

This may be associated with
infections or urethritis.

Haematuria

Women with urinary symptoms
should always be questioned
regarding the presence or
absence of blood in the urine and
investigated appropriately.

Prolapse symptoms

Women with prolapse have a
broad range of symptoms. Studies
have shown that the symptoms
increase significantly with stage 2
prolapse or greater. Most women
will complain of a bulge or a lump,
whilst others will describe either
discomfort or a burning sensation.
Still others will describe associated
voiding or defaecatory difficulty,
needing to reduce the prolapse to
void or completely evacuate their
bowels.

Bowel symptoms

Evaluation and questioning
regarding bowel symptoms is an
essential part of the evaluation of
the pelvic floor.

Anal Incontinence

This is the involuntary passage of
flatus.

Faecal Incontinence

This is defined as the involuntary
passage of liquid or solid stool.
This should be quantified by asking
the women about the frequency,
severity, use of continence aids
and impact on quality of life.

Faecal urgency and urge
incontinence

This is an important symptom

which is often underreported and
seldom elicited by the clinician.

Defaecatory dysfunction

Women should be asked about
any difficulty in completing
defaecation including digitation,
splinting or manual evacuation.

Constipation

A record should be made of
frequency of stools and any
symptom of constipation.

Sexual History

A detailed history of sexual
function is vital to a thorough
assessment of pelvic floor
disorders. Women should be
asked if they are sexually active.
Any problems should be noted
including dyspareunia, vaginal
slackness, vaginal tightness,
anorgasmia, coital faecal or urinary
incontinence during intercourse.

Other relevant parts
of the history

Neurological history

Women should be questioned
regarding symptoms of limb
weakness and sensory fallout.
Any history of multiple sclerosis,
parkinsonism, spinal cord injury,
stroke or spina bifida should also

be recorded.
Medications

A note should be made of
medications that may be
worsening the symptoms, including
diuretics and alpha -blockers.

Medical History

Diabetes Mellitis and Insipidus are
usually associated with polyuria.
Cardiac failure can present
with nocturia as a result of the
redistribution of fluid when the
patient is lying down.

Fluid Intake

The amount and type of fluid
consumed on a daily basis should
be recorded. Caffeine and alcohol
can exacerbate symptoms of
overactive bladder significantly
and these products in particular
should be enquired about.

Obstetric History

The number and type of deliveries
are important as well as any history
of perineal or anal sphincter injury.

Surgical History

Previous pelvic surgery, including
prolapse and incontinence surgery,
should be noted.

Causes of Incontinence

1.

Stress Incontinence

Sphincter Dysfunction

Abnormal Bladder neck support

2.

Detrusor Overactivity

Idiopathic

Neurogenic

3.

Mixed incontinence

4.

Overflow Incontinence

5.

Functional Incontinence

Confusion

Dementia

6.

Pharmacologic

7.

True incontinence

Fistulae

8.

Transient Incontinence

UTI

Restricted Mobility

Constipation

Atrophic Urethritis

9.

Congenital Abnormalities

10.

Excessive urine production

Diabetes Mellitis and Insipidus

Diuretics

Cardiac failure

Adapted from Textbook of Female
Urology and Urogynaecology Eds
Cardozo and Staskin.

Chapter 2

Lower urinary tract symptoms
and urinary incontinence: an
overview

Peter de Jong

Definitions of Symptoms

Lower urinary tract symptoms,
(LUTS) are equally bothersome
to men and women, and greatly
affect the quality of life (QOL).

The term "Lower urinary tract
symptoms" is used to describe
a patient's urinary complaints
without implying a cause. Lower
urinary tract symptoms were
defined by the standardization sub
- committee of the International
Continence Society.

LUTS are the subjective indicators
of a disease or change in
conditions as perceived by the
patients, carer or partners and may
lead her to seek help from health
care professionals. Symptoms may
either be volunteered or described
during the patient interview. They
are usually qualitative.

In general, lower urinary tract

symptoms cannot be used to make
a definitive diagnosis. However
LUTS can also indicate pathologies
other than lower urinary tract
dysfunction, such as urinary
infection. The clinician will make
his/her best efforts to exclude
other causes of LUTS.

Lower urinary tract symptoms are
categorized as storage, voiding
and post micturition symptoms.
(Table 1)

Storage Symptoms are experienced
during the storage phase of the
bladder, and include daytime
frequency and nocturia.

Increased daytime frequency is
the complaint by the patient who
considers that he/she voids too
often by day. The average person
voids 6 times a day.

Nocturia is the complaint that the

8

individual has to wake at night
one or more times to void.

Urgency is the complaint of a
sudden compelling desire to pass
urine, which is difficult to defer.

Urinary incontinence is the
complaint of any involuntary
leakage of urine.
In each specific circumstance.

Stress urinary incontinence is the
complaint of involuntary leakage
on effort or exertion, or on
sneezing or coughing.

Urgency urinary incontinence is the
complaint of involuntary leakage
accompanied by or immediately
preceded by urgency.

Mixed urinary incontinence is the

Table 1 LUTS

FILLING / STORAGE

EMPTYING / VOIDING

POST VOIDING SYMPTOMS

Frequency

Hesitancy

Post - micturition dribbling

Urgency

Straining to void

Feeling of incomplete
emptying

Nocturia

Poor stream

Urgency Incontinence

Intermittency

Stress Incontinence

Dysuria

Nocturnal Incontinence

Terminal dribbling

Bladder / Urethral Pain

Absent or Impaired Sensation

urinary incontinence should be
further described by specifying
relevant factors such as type,
frequency, severity, precipitating
factors, social impact, effect
on hygiene and quality of life,
measures used to contain the
leakage, and whether or not the
individual seeks or desires help
because of urinary incontinence.

complaint of involuntary leakage
associated with urgency and also
with exertion, effort, sneezing or
coughing.

Enuresis means any involuntary
loss of urine. If it is used to denote
incontinence during sleep, it
should always be qualified with
the adjective "nocturnal".

Nocturnal enuresis is the complaint
of loss of urine occurring during
sleep.

Continuous urinary incontinence
is the complaint of continuous
leakage and may denote urinary
fistula.

or in comparison to others.

Intermittent stream or Double
voiding (Intermittency) is the term
used when the individual describes
urine flow which stops and starts,
on one or more occasions, during
micturition.

Bladder sensation can be defined,
during history taking, into four
categories.

Normal: the individual is aware
of bladder filling and increasing
sensation up to a strong desire to
void.

Increased: the individual feels an
early first sensation of filling and
then a persistent desire to void.

Reduced: the individual is aware
of bladder filling but does not feel
a definite desire to void.

Absent: the individual reports
no sensation of bladder filling or
desire to void.

Voiding symptoms are experienced
during the voiding phase.

Slow stream is reported by the
individual as the perception
of reduced urine flow, usually
compared to previous performance

Hesitancy is the term used when
an individual describes difficulty
in initiating micturition resulting
in delay in the onset of voiding
after the individual is ready to pass
urine.

Straining to void describes the
muscular effort used to initiate,
maintain or improve the urinary
stream.

Terminal dribble is the term used
when an individual describes a
prolonged final part of micturition,
when flow has slowed to a trickle
or dribble.

Post micturition symptoms are
experienced immediately after
micturition.

Feeling of incomplete emptying
is a self - explanatory term for
a feeling experienced by the
individual after passing urine.

Post micturition dribble is the term

10

used when an individual describes
the involuntary loss of urine
immediately after passing urine,
usually after leaving the toilet.

Frequency - Volume Chart
(Bladder Diary)

Frequency - volume charts (FVC)
have become an important
part of the evaluation of LUTS.
Most experts would agree that
these charts provide invaluable
information about a number
of symptoms including urinary
frequency, urgency, incontinence
episodes, and voided volume. In
fact some symptoms, like nocturia,
cannot be properly evaluated
without a chart. Frequency -
volume charts are critical for the
distinction between nocturnal
overactive bladder and nocturnal
polyuria, two common causes
of nocturia. Despite this the
structure, content and duration
of chart keeping for evaluation
has not been standardised. There
are a number of parameters
that can be assessed by the FVC,
including: total number of voids
per 24 hours, total number of
daytime (awake) voids, total
number of night time voids,
total fluid intake, total voided
volume, maximum, minimum and
mean voided volume, number of
urgency episodes, and number of

incontinence episodes.

FVC's have been shown to be
reproducible and more accurate
when compared with the patient's
recall. The optimal length of
a diary varies according to the
parameter assessed and precision
and sensitivity required. In
addition, if one is trying to assess
change, the baseline parameter
(e.g number of voids, incontinence
episodes) will affect the length
of the diary needed to detect
a certain change. A 7 day diary
is a reasonable option for most
patients with incontinence. If
record keeping for 7 days increases
a patient's burden the number of
days required to evaluate voiding
symptoms should be reduced.

The majority of information
collected on FVC's or bladder
diaries has been used to establish
baselines or to study patients with
OAB or incontinence.

Physical examination

A general physical examination
of the patient is mandatory, since
many co-morbid conditions are
likely to impact on the symptoms
of LUTS (Table 2)

11

Table 2 Comorbid conditions
causing LUTS

• Medical disorders

> Hypertension / heart failure

> Mulitple sclerosis

> Diabetes Mellitus

• Reduced mobility

• Alzheimers

• Medical therapy, i.e diuretics

• Neurological disorders

A detailed gynaecological
assessment is important, with
particular attention to pelvic
floor disorders, and prolapse. A
full neurological examination
is also required. Digital rectal
examination is useful to evaluate
the possibility of co - existent anal
/faecal incontinence.

and nitrites, although infection
may exist in the absence of pyuria
and, in the elderly population,
pyuria may develop in the absence
of UTI. Microscopic haematuria can
be easily identified by dipsticking
because of the presence of
haemoglobin. The detection of
haematuria is important because
the condition is associated with
a 4 - 5% risk of diagnosing a
urological disorder or malignancy
within 3 years. Because of the
high prevalence of urinary tract
infection (UTI) and the increase
of LUTS in the presence of UTI, all
guidelines on the management
of patients with LUTS and urinary
incontinence, endorse the use
of urinalysis in primary care
management.

Special investigations

Urinalysis

Urinalysis is not a single test
- complete urinalysis includes
physical, chemical, and microscopic
examinations. Dipstick urinalysis
is certainly convenient but false
positive and false negative results
may occur. It is considered an
inexpensive diagnostic test able to
identify patients with urinary tract
infection (UTI) as indicated by the
presence of leucocyte esterases

Urodynamic
Investigations

What is meant by the term
Urodynamic investigations?

In 1970 Bates coined the expression
that 'the bladder often proves to
be an unreliable witness', meaning
that the presenting symptoms
of the patient and the eventual
diagnosis of the problem are often
at variance. In 1972 Moolgaoker
stated that 'urinary symptoms in
the female do not form a scientific

12

basis for treatment'.

Urodynamic tests have been
developed to confirm the
underlying diagnosis in a patient
complaining of symptoms of
urinary incontinence. These
tests identify the etiology of
the problem and elucidate its
pathophysiological mechanism.
Their use is sometimes debatable,
since grade A evidence supporting
the general use of urodynamics in
the investigation of incontinence,
is not available.

The most basic form of urodynamic
testing which is used in present
day practice consists of:

1. Uroflowmetry (otherwise
known as a 'free flow
measurement'

2. Multichannel urodynamics
which involve filling and
voiding cystometry (the latter
being a so - called 'pressure -
flow' study).

Depending on the sophistication of
the apparatus used, either a leak
- point pressure measurement, or
urethral pressure profilometry may
be performed additionally as a test
of urethral function. Urodynamic
testing can either be static or
ambulatory.

Videocystourethrography is used
in advanced centres and is the
gold standard of the investigation
of female urinary incontinence.
It involves contrast media and
screening radiology superimposed
upon conventional cystometry to
provide an accurate diagnosis. This
modality is not widely available.

Increasingly, ultrasound imaging is
also being used to measure both
bladder neck descent and bladder
wall thickness. Electromyography
and cystoscopy are adjuncts to
urodynamics in complex patients
with atypical pathology.

The measurement of urethral
resistance pressure has recently
been pioneered. This does have
potential as a diagnostic tool of
the future. However, at present
its widespread use as a routine
urodynamic tool is questionable
and it should only be used in
research studies aimed at clarifying
its value.

Basic tests which should be
performed on patients prior to
urodynamic testing include a
urine microscopy and culture,
and a measurement of residual
urine volume, either by catheter
or ultrasound. A bladder diary
(frequency / volume chart) is

13

also a necessary aid to diagnosis.
The latter has been shown to
provide valuable information on
the patient's voiding pattern and
functional bladder capacity, as well
as giving an indication of leakage
episodes.

It can be said that most
urodynamic tests are expensive,
time consuming and invasive
(involving catheterization of
the patient). They also require
considerable expertise and access
to sophisticated equipment.
There should therefore be sound
motivation for their use as a
diagnostic tool.

Clinical Indications for
Urodynamics Investigations

There are many etiological factors
leading to urinary incontinence
in women. Certainly the most
common problems are urodynamic
stress incontinence due to
urethral sphincter weakness or
bladder neck hypermobility, and
detrusor overactivity leading to
incontinence (in most cases 'urge
incontinence'). Other causes of
incontinence include fistulae,
urethral diverticulae, urethral
instability, the urethral syndrome
and also the contributory effect
of urinary tract infection. It
must be emphasized that many

of these conditions may mimic
the symptoms associated with
stress incontinence and destrusor
overactivity.

A cough - induced bladder
contraction causing leakage
may be confused with stress
incontinence (so called 'stress -
induced instability').

There may be serious sequelae if
a patient suffering from urinary
incontinence is not adequately
evaluated and an incorrect
diagnosis is made. The most serious
of these is inappropriate surgery.
Failure to recognize concomitant
detrusor overactivity and / or
voiding dysfunction may also
affect the outcome of appropriate
surgery.

Table 1 lists the most important
indications for urodynamic studies.

Table 1: Indications for
urodynamic studies

1.

Prior to surgery

2.

Failed medical or surgical treatment

3.

Complex symptomatology

4.

Neurological dysfunction

5.

Voiding dysfunstion

6.

Medico - legal cases

14

Clinical Diagnosis versus

urodynamic diagnosis

Over the past 35 years there have
been ongoing discussions in the
literature on how best to evaluate
patients with incontinence. The
accurate identification of patients
with SUI has received considerable
attention

The accuracy of history alone

Most of the early papers looked
at the discriminatory value of
a pure history of either stress
incontinence or detrusor instability.
Symptoms alone were used to
make a diagnosis before patients
were subjected to confirmatory
cystometry. Most of the earlier
studies had relatively low numbers
of patients. In summary, it is clear
from the majority of studies that
a history of incontinence alone is
not enough to enable a clinician
to make an accurate diagnosis
for a decision on whether or not
to embark on stress incontinence
surgery. The symptom of stress
incontinence may be very sensitive,
but is so nonspecific as to render it
of little diagnostic value.

History is best used as a guide to
the subsequent evaluation process
and to serve as a measure of
disease severity.

History, clinical examination
and basic tests

In the ongoing search for an
uncomplicated and cost - effective
approach to the pre - operative
evaluation of a patient for
stress incontinence surgery,
several authors looked at other
parameters which could prove
useful.

In summary the addition of other
clinical parameters and simple
office tests do enhance the
sensitivity of a history. However,
the various authors still found
the combination inadequate for
a reliable diagnosis and most
felt that additional research was
warranted.

In South Africa, Urogynaecology as
a subspeciality is still in its infancy.
Treatment decisions in female
urinary incontinence management
are mostly made on clinical
judgment. There are very few
management protocols in place
and this is an area which urgently
requires development, particularly
at specialist level.

Medical practice is increasingly
becoming dogged by litigation and
practitioners have to be able to
show that they have their patient's
best interest at heart by backing

15

up clinical diagnosis with special
investigations.

In the larger centres in SA
there are facilities available for
performing urodynamic studies
but these are mostly underutilised.
They are often also run by staff
who are not properly trained to
provide good quality results and
interpretation.

There is an increasing number of
practitioners in SA who have a
special interest in Urogynaecology
and who manage female patients
with urinary incontinence. It is
these practitioners who should
be at the forefront of attempts
to develop mechanisms which are
aimed a providing the best possible
service for their patients. "Best
practice' therefore also means
a move away from 'preference
- based' to 'evidence - based'
medicine.

16

Chapter 3

Physical Examination and the
POP-Q

Peter de Jong, Stephen Jeffery

All women presenting with
pelvic floor dysfunction should
be thoroughly examined in
the supine, left lateral and
standing positions. Where a
surgical intervention is planned,
the responsible surgeon should
determine exactly what may
be required at operation - so
that the appropriate consent
can be obtained and the correct
intervention planned.

General

The women's mobility and general
condition should be noted.

Neurological
examination

The spinal segments S2,3.4 should
be assessed by testing the tone,
strength and sensation in the

lower limbs. The anal sphincter
tone should be tested.

Gynaecological
Examination

It is impossible to perform an
adequate urogynaecological
examination without using a
Sims speculum and in some
circumstances two Sim's speculae
are required. The examination
begins with the woman in the
dorsal position. The vulva and
vagina are inspected for any
lesions, atrophy or excoriation.
The woman is then asked to
cough or valsalva while the
clinician observes for any stress
incontinence. She is then asked
to turn onto her left side and the
Sims speculum is used to inspect
the anterior and posterior vaginal
walls for prolapse. It is imperative
that the middle compartment is

17

also adequately assessed for any
uterine or vaginal vault descent.
This can be difficult, but if one
uses two Sims speculae placed
anteriorly and posteriorly, while
the women strains down, it
is relatively easy to assess this
compartment. The prolapse should
be graded using either the Baden-
Walker or POP-Q systems (see
below). If the women's symptoms
are not adequately explained by
the findings at examination, it may
be useful to perform an additional
assessment with her standing. This
is accomplished by asking her to
stand with her legs apart while
the examiner bends in front of
the patient and gently palpates
the anterior, middle and posterior
compartments. She is then asked
to cough again in the standing
position.

Classification and
grading of prolapse

Grading and classification of pelvic
organ prolapse enables clinicians
to communicate with each other
and is also useful in a research
setting. The most commonly used
grading system is the Baden-
Walker halfway system which
grades prolapse as follows:

Grade I: Descent halfway to the

introitis

Grade 2: Descent down to the

vaginal introitis

Grade 3: Descent beyond the

introitis but not maximal

Grade 4: Maximal descent

This grading system is useful in day
to day clinical practice but it has a
number of shortcomings. It does
not give a quantitative impression
of the severity of the prolapse.
It does not address the vaginal
length, perineal body size or the
length of the urogenital hiatus.
The POP-Q (Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Quantification System) was
developed by the International
Continence Society to address
these issues and it supercedes the
previous systems used to describe
POP. The new objective assessment
allows a clear and unambiguous
description of prolapse, facilitating
better objective assessment,
management and surgical
comparison. Precise staging made
gynaecological oncology an
objective progressive disciple, and
it is hoped that introduction of
POP - Q will allow similar advances
in the management of prolapse.
Terms used in the past such as for
example small, medium or large,
cystocoele or rectcoele, are no
longer applicable. At first glance,

18

the system appears complicated
and difficult to master but
once it is understood, it can be
performed in less than 30 seconds
while performing a routine
gynaecological examination. It
is based on measurements that
are taken using the introitis as
reference. Any measurement
above this is negative and
anything below this is positive.
The measurements are taken using
a marked Pap smear spatula. Six
specific vaginal sites (points Aa, Ba,
C, D, Bp and Ap) and the vaginal
length (tvl) are assessed using
centimeters of measurement from
the introitus. The length of the
genital hiatus (gh) and perineal
body (pb) are measured.

the following table.

All measurements are made to the
nearest 0.5cm

Consensus and validation of the
new system has been extensive.
The clinical examination is
performed and the measurements
recorded on the "POPQ grid".
(Table 2)

The points are defined as follows,
with the ranges as suggested in

TABLE 1: POP - Q DEFINITION AND RANGES

Point Measurement Range

Aa

Anterior vaginal wall 3cm proximal to the hymen

-3 to +3

Ba

Leading - most point of anterior vaginal wall prolapse

-3 to +tvl

C

Most distal edge of cervix or vaginal cuff (if cervix is absent)

-/+ tvl

D

Most distal portion of the posterior fornix

-/+ tvl

Ap

Posterior vaginal wall 3cm proximal to the hymen

-3 to +3

Bp

Leading - most point of posterior vaginal wall prolapse

-3 to +tvl

gh

Perpendicular distance from mid - urethral meatus to posterior hymen

No limit

Pb

Perpendicular distance from mid - anal opening to posterior hymen

No limit

tvl

Posterior fornix or vaginal cuff (if cervix is absent) to the hymen

No limit

19

TABLE 2: The POPQ Grid - Used
to Record Examination Results.

anterior
wall

Aa

anterior
wall

Ba

anterior
wall

C

genital
hiatus

gh

perineal
body

pb

total vaginal
length

tvl

posterior
wall

Ap

posterior
wall

Bp

posterior
fornix

D*

*Measurement D is not taken in
the absence of a cervix

The measurement of prolapse
is performed in accordance
with certain measurement
fundamentals. (Table 3)

Table 3: POPQ Measurement
Fundamentals

All measurements are made to the nearest
0.5cm

All measurements are made relative to the
hymen

Points proximal to the hymen are negative
(inside the body)

Points distal to the hymen are positive (out-
side the body)

The hymen is assigned a value zero

gh, pb, and tvl measurements will always
have a positive value

All measurements, except for tvl, are made
while patient is bearing down

Both the patient's position during
the examination (lithotomy,
birthing chair, or standing) and the
state of her bladder and rectum
(full or empty) should be noted

Staging of the grade of pelvic
support is objectively done on a
five - stage system. (Table 4)

Table 4: The five stages of
Pelvic Organ Support

Stage 0:

No descent of any compartments

Stage 1 :

Descent of the most prolapsed
compartment between perfect
support and - 1cm, or 1 cm
proximal to the hymen

Stage 2:

Descent of the most prolapsed
compartment between -1cm and
+ 1cm.

Stage 3:

Descent of the most prolapsed
compartment between +1cm
and (tvl -2cm)

Stage 4:

Descent of the most prolapsed
compartment from (tvl -2cm) to
complete prolapse

Explanation of
individual points

Points Aa, Ab, Pa and Pb are the
most difficult to understand. They
represent the extent of prolapse,
be it above the introitis ( ie
negative) or below the introitis ( ie
positive)

20

Point Aa

If an imaginary small man walked
from the introitis up the anterior
vaginal wall and made a mark once
he had covered 3 cm this would be
point Aa. The distance this point
descends on the vertical plane can
therefore be either -3, -2, -1 if it
is above the introitis, at the
introitis and +1,+ 2 or +3 below the
introitis. This point is therefore
never more than 3 and represents
the bottom 3cm of the vagina.

Point Bp

Again, this point describes more
extensive prolapse beyond the

3 cm mark of Ap similar to Ba.
Again if there is no prolapse, by
convention it is -3.

Point C

This describes the prolapse of the
cervix or vaginal vault. If the cervix,
for example, is 7cm above the
introitis, this point is then -7, if it is

4 cm below C is +4.

Point Ba

This point describes additional
prolapse of the anterior vaginal
wall that goes beyond the first
3 cm. It is the most distal part of
the prolapse. It can therefore be
greater than the +3 described for
point Aa. For the milder prolapse,
it often equates to that of Aa.
Because it essentially defines more
extensive prolapse, when there
is no prolapse, by convention we
make it the same as Aa.

Point Ap

Again our imaginary man makes
the 3cm trip up the posterior wall
where he marks off point Ap. The
distance this point descends can
again be therefore either -3, -2, -1
if it is above the introitis, at the
introitis and +1,+ 2 or +3 below the
introitis.

Point D

This describes the descent of the
posterior fornix again similar to
the cervix.

Total vaginal Length

This is the measurement of
the length of the vaginal tube
from top to bottom. It is usually
measured with the marked spatula
inserted to its maximum into the
vagina.

Urogenital hiatus

The measuring spatula is placed
anteroposteriorly along the
introitis and measures from the
urethral meatus to the midline of
the posterior hymen.

Perineal body

Again the perineum is measured
from the posterior hymen to the

21

anus in the midline.

22

Chapter 4

Essential Urodynamics

Stephen Jeffery

Urodynamics

Whole books have been written
on Urodynamic practice and
technique. The diagnosis in women
with urinary incontinence based
on clinical findings is correct in
only 65% of cases. There is a large
overlap between symptoms and
examination and urodynamic
findings. 55% of women with
stress incontinence will have a
mixed picture. The cystometrogram
becomes essential, in a number
of women, to enhance diagnostic
accuracy and therefore enable us
to institute treatment.

The equipment

The Urodynamics system comprises
two catheters, one placed in the
bladder and another in the rectum,
a computer and the urodynamics
software and pressure transducers,
a pump system, and a flowmeter.
The catheter that is placed in the

bladder is has a double lumen, one
to measure the bladder pressure
(Pves) and the other lumen is used
to fill the bladder with water via
the pump system. Sometimes,
two separate catheters are used
for filling and pressure recording.
The rectal probe measures the
intra-abdominal pressure (Pabd)
and this pressure could therefore
also be obtained by inserting the
line into the vagina or even into
a colostomy. A Urodynamic report
usually gives 3 pressure tracings:
Pves (bladder pressure), Pabd
(abdominal) and Pdet (detrusor
pressure). The detrusor pressure is
obtained by the following formula
Pdet = Pves-Pabd. Urodynamics is
therefore often called Subtracted
Cystometry.

The Procedure

The test comprises three
phases.

23

1. Free flow phase

The woman is asked to arrive
at the investigation with a full
bladder. She is then asked to
void on the flowmeter, which is
usually mounted on a commode, in
privacy. It should be noted that this
part of the test differs from the
voiding cystometry, which is done
after the filling phase once the
bladder is full and the lines are in
situ to measure the pressures.

Flow Meter Commode

2. Filling phase

The bladder and rectal lines are
inserted with the patient supine
and any urinary residual is noted.
The lines are flushed and the
system is zeroed. The women
is asked to cough to check that
the Pdet measurement is correct.
For example, if the Pabd is not
measuring correctly, the Pdet will
not be accurately calculated. If
both the vesical and rectal lines

are measuring appropriately,
when the women coughs, there
should be no deviation of the
Pdet - only on the vesical line and
the abdominal line since these
are both under the influence
of abdominal pressure. In other
words, when there is a rise in
abdominal pressure with coughing,
the same pressure is transferred
to the bladder. The Pdet will
therefore be zero since Pves minus
Pabd is zero and the detrusor line
will be flat with deviations only in
the Pabd and Pves.

Bladder filling is commenced
once the operator is satisfied that
the tracing is technically correct.
The patient is asked to report
on her first desire as well as the
moment she has a strong desire to
void. Any urgency and associated
incontinence is noted. Provocative
measures through the filling phase
include asking the woman to heel
bounce, wash hands and cough.
This will also hopefully elicit any
stress incontinence which is usually
also occasionally recorded on the
trace by a flowmeter but if this
modality is not available on the
filling phase, is usually observed
by visual inspection of the vulva.
When the patient is unable to
tolerate any more filling, the pump
is stopped, this is the maximum

24

cystometric capacity.

3. Voiding Cystometry

This is done by asking the patient
to void while the pressures are
recorded.

Possible Diagnoses

During Free Flow

Flow rate is abbreviated as Q. A
normal flow curve is bell-shaped.
An obstructive pattern is flat or
with intermittent sections of flow.
The maximum flow is denoted
as Qmax. A normal flow rate is
defined as less than I5ml/s.

During Filling phase

Any contractions of the detrusor
tracing suggest a diagnosis
of detrusor overactivity (DO).
One should always look at the
abdominal tracing and this
should be flat during a detrusor
contraction to diagnose DO. If the
abdominal curve is also elevated,
this would suggest possible poor
subtraction and a diagnosis of
DO should not be made. If the
Detrusor pressure curve rises
slowly during the filling phase, this
would suggest poor compliance. If
one notes both stress incontinence
and DO during filling, a diagnosis
of mixed incontinence is made.

During voiding Cystometery

Pressures are measured during
the voiding cystometry phase
and therefore parameters such
as PdetQmax, the detrusor
pressure during maximum flow,
is measured. A pressure greater
than 20cmH2O would suggest an
obstruction.

25

Chapter 5

The Medical Management
of the Overactive Bladder
Syndrome

Peter de Jong

Introduction

The term "overactive bladder"
was proposed as a way of
approaching the clinical problem
from a symptomatic rather than
a urodynamic perspective. The
overactive bladder syndrome
(OAB) has been defined by the
International Continence Society
as urinary urgency with or without
urge incontinence usually with
frequency and nocturia. It is a
diagnosis based on lower urinary
tract symptoms alone. While not
life threatening, it can have a
considerable adverse impact on
the quality of lives of those who
suffer from it, and it is highly
prevalent within society. Recent
epidemiological studies have
reported the overall prevalence
of OAB in women to be 16%,
suggesting that there could be

17.5 million women in the USA
who suffer from the condition.
The prevalence increases with
increasing age being 4 percent in
women younger than 25 years and
30 percent in those older than 65
years. The overall prevalence of
OAB in individuals aged 40 years
and older is 16%. Frequency, the
most common symptom, occurs in
85% of respondents, while 54%
complain of urgency and 36% of
urge incontinence.

Initial management of OAB should
take into account the individual's
lifestyle and any appropriate
interventions that can be
employed to minimize symptoms.
For example, reducing excessive
fluid intake (25ml / kg / day is
sufficient) and minimising caffeine
and alcohol consumption may
be helpful, as well as reviewing

26

any medication that may have
an impact on lower urinary tract
function, such as diuretics.

Behavioral therapies and,
particular, bladder retraining
may help a person regain central
control of micturition and can be
highly effective in well - motivated
individuals, although there is a
recognized high relapse rate.

Drug therapy is the mainstay of
treatment for OAB, and from
the number of preparations that
have been studied, it is clear
that there is no ideal drug for all
people. In the past, clinical results
of treatment have often been
disappointing due to both to poor
efficacy and unacceptable adverse
effects. Earlier preparations were
not subjected to the current
rigorous randomised controlled
trials and, therefore, lack evidence
- based data. Comparison of
drug therapies for this condition
is difficult due to the placebo
effect of 30 - 40%, and since the
response to any of the available
drugs is only in the region of 60%,
any differences that are detected
are likely to be small, and thus
require large - scale studies to
show efficacy.

The drugs that are currently

prescribed for OAB have an
antimuscarinic component, and
this limits compliance with the
treatment because of a lack of
acceptability to some people.
Recent advances have included
sustained release preparations of
existing compounds, innovative
routes of administration and
newer antimuscarinic preparations.

While many people will be
considerably improved and even
cured of their symptoms by drug
therapy, there are always those
who do not respond and for them,
it is most important that further
investigations are undertaken to
ensure that the correct problem
is being addressed. Urodynamic
studies will confirm (or otherwise)
a diagnosis of detrusor overactivity
in which case, further trials
of different antimuscarinic
preparations would be desirable,
whereas in the absence of
proven detrusor overactivity,
an alternative diagnosis should
be sought to avoid further
ineffectual treatment and, hence
disillusionment and a waste of
resources.

Definition of OAB
syndrome

OAB is a clinical diagnosis and

27

comprises the symptoms of
frequency (>8 micturitions /
24 hours), urgency and urge
incontinence, occurring either
singly or in combination, which
cannot be explained by metabolic
(e.g diabetes) or local pathological
factors (e.g urinary tract infections,
stones, interstitial cystitis).

In clinical practice, the empirical
diagnosis is often used as the
basis for initial management
after assessing the individual's
lower urinary tract symptoms,
physical findings and the
results of urinalysis, and other
indicated investigations. Thus, the
International Continence Society in
its Standardisation of Terminology
report from 2002 defined the
OAB syndrome as urgency with or
without urge incontinence, usually
with frequency and noctuira.
These symptom combinations
are suggestive of urodynamically
demonstrable detrusor overactivity,
but can be due to other forms of
urethro - vesical dysfunction. The
term "overactive bladder" can be
used if there is no proven infection
or other obvious pathology.

In the current International
Continence Society (ICS) definition
of the OAB syndrome, urgency
is an obligatory component. This

is in line with current opinion
regarding the importance of
urgency as the driving force behind
the other components, frequency,
nocturia and incontinence,
which are also mentioned in the
definition. Urgency is, however,
difficult to measure and in many
of the clinical trials assessing the
pharmacological treatment of OAB
syndrome, micturition frequency
has often been used as the primary
endpoint as it is easier to quantify.

The OAB - how
common is it?

There are at present only a few
population - based studies that
have assessed the prevalence
of OAB. The prevalence of OAB
symptoms was estimated in a large
European study involving more
than 16 000 individuals. Data were
collected using a population -
based survey of men and women
aged a 40 years, selected from
the general population in France,
Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and
the UK using a random, stratified
approach. The main outcome
measures were prevalence of
urinary frequency (>8 micturitions
/24 hours), urgency and urge
incontinence; proportion of
participants who had sought

28

medical advice for OAB symptoms;
and current previous therapy
received for these symptoms.
The overall prevalence of OAB
symptoms in this population of
men and women aged a 40 years
was 16%. About 79% of the
respondents with OAB symptoms
had experienced symptoms for
at least 1 year and 49% for 3
years. Sixty - seven percent of
the women and 65% of the men
with OAB symptoms reported that
their symptoms had an impact
on daily living. The prevalence
of OAB symptoms increased with
age in both men and women.
OAB symptoms were relatively
more common in younger women
compared with men, while the
opposite was found for the older
age groups where symptoms were
more common in men. However,
when comparing the total
population of men and women,
there was little difference in the
overall prevalence reported in
women and men.

The prevalence of OAB symptoms
has also been assessed in a
large population based survey
from the USA. The National
Overactive Bladder Evaluation
(NOBLE) was designed to assess
the prevalence and burden of
OAB. A sample of 5204 adults a

18 years and representative of
the US population by sex, age,
and geographical region was
assessed. The overall prevalence
of OAB was similar between men
(16.0%) and women (16.9%) and
was similar to the results reported
earlier from Europe. The impact
of OAB symptoms on quality of
life was assessed in a subset of the
participants from the NOBLE study.
In individuals who reported OAB
symptoms, these symptoms had a
clinically significant negative effect
on quality of life, quality of sleep,
and mental health.

Impact of OAB
symptoms on
employment, social
interactions, and
emotional wellbeing

Symptoms suggestive of an OAB
often have a profound negative
influence on quality of life. It
is not only episodes of leakage
that effect wellbeing but also
urgency and frequency have
considerable detrimental effects
on daily activities. Constant worry
about when urgency is going to
strike results in the development
of elaborate coping mechanisms
to enable people to manage

29

their condition (e.g voiding
frequently in an effort to avoid
leakage episodes, mapping out
the location of toilets, drinking
less, or the use of incontinence
pads). It is not difficult to see how
these troublesome symptoms may
disrupt people's daily lives and
occupations. Despite the negative
impact of these symptoms on
quality of life, many affected
individuals fail to report this
condition to their physicians of
symptoms for many years. This
may be due to embarrassment or
possibly because of the mistaken
opinion that effective treatment is
not available.

The management of
overactive bladder

Incontinence occurs in
approximately a third of people
presenting clinically with OAB,
and approximately a third of them
have a mixed picture of combined
sphincteric weakness and detrusor
overactivity. The prevalence of
OAB is higher among the elderly
population (age 64 and above); it
is estimated to be approximately
30 - 40% among persons older
that 75 years, and this may have
additional ramifications as both
urinary urgency, associated

incontinence and noctuira have
been shown to be associated with
an increased incidence of falls and
fractures among elderly.

The intensity of urinary urgency
has a significant association
with other symptoms of OAB.
Urgency is the 'driving' symptom
in OAB, those experiencing OAB
frequently experience urgency at
inconvenient and unpredictable
times and consequently, often
lose control before reaching the
toilet. This adversely affects their
physical and psychological state by
limiting daily activities, intimacy,
compromising sexual function
and worsening self - esteem.
It is no surprise therefore that
improvements in urgency are often
stated by people to be the most
noticeable response to therapy.

Urgency is a sensory symptom
and as such is difficult to define,
to communicate to both patients
and colleagues alike and the
measure and quantify. Despite
the difficulties, urgency and the
other symptoms of OAB result
in a significant deterioration in
HRQL. To date, patient diaries have
been shown to be a reliable way
to collect various OAB symptoms,
including urgency episodes, and
diary entry remains the most

30

accurate and sensitive method
for evaluating changes in urgency
with pharmacotherapy. Data
obtained on the basis of 3 - or 4
- day diaries suggest that short -
duration diaries are just as reliable
as those recorded for 7 days, and
because they impart less patient
burden, may be an acceptable
method of assessing the symptoms
of OAB. Apart from increases
in cystometric capacity, invasive
pressure flow studies have failed to
show positive results with existing
antimuscarinic therapy.

Initial assessment must include
a thorough history and physical
examination. A complete
pelvic and neurological exam
is mandatory, to exclude other
conditions that may mimic OAB
symptoms. Urine analysis, and
microscopy and culture will exclude
urinary infections. Further special
investigations are not required.

and healthcare professionals in
community based primary care
services play a pivotal role in
the management of incontinent
patients.

Behavioural therapy and
pharmacotherapy are the
mainstay of treatment, and there
is continuing search for more
effective and selective drugs
with minimal adverse effects
(AEs). About 50% of people
gain satisfactory benefit from
pharmacotherapy. The role of
physiotherapy in the treatment of
urge incontinence remains unclear
as evidenced by systematic review
of clinical trials.

Treatment of OAB is multifaceted.
Effective treatment modalities
include lifestyle modifications,
medications, bladder retraining,
and exercises to strengthen the
pelvic floor (Kegel Exercises)

Treatment for all forms of
incontinence should commence
with conservative methods before
progressing to more complex
surgical procedures if these do not
work. A multidisciplinary approach
is important in its management.
In addition to urologists and
gynaecologists, continence nurse
specialists, physiotherapists

1. Lifestyle modifications

• The patient should limit
intake of foods and drinks
that may irritate the bladder
or stimulate the production
of urine e.g alcohol, caffeine,
coffee, tea and fizzy drinks,
and aspartate sweeteners.

• Drink 25ml /kg /day of
fluids

31

• Maintain healthy bowel
actions. Eat high fibre foods
such as wholewheat bread
and pastas.

• Stop smoking

• Lose weight (if obese)

2. Bladder retaining

The patient should -

• Gradually increase the time
between voids

• Increase the time intervals by
15 minutes until she reaches
an optimal time which is
comfortable for her.

3. Pelvic floor muscle exercises
(Kegel Exercises) (See
elsewhere)

Surgical options (some still
experimental) have been added
in recent years and these include,
neuromodulation and botulinum
toxin injection therapy, but these
interventions are reserved for cases
where medical therapy fails.

worldwide. It has antimuscarinic
activity acting primarily on the
M1 and M3 receptor over the M2
receptor. Two oral formulations
of this drug are now available on
our market and include immediate
- release (IR) and extended -
release (ER) forms. More recently, a
transdermal formulation has been
introduced. Several randomised
placebo controlled trials have
shown oybutynin IR to be
effective in producing subjective
improvement in patients (at least
50% improvement in incontinence
episodes) as well as objective
parameters. Dose begins at 2.5mg
bd, going up to a maximum of
5mg tds. Adverse effects include
dry mouth, blurred vision,
constipation, urinary retention,
gastro - oesophageal reflux,
dizziness and central nervous
system (CNS) effects. The AEs,
particularly dry mouth, can lead to
a high (up to 80%) dropout rate
within 6 months of commencing
treatment.

Drug therapy

There are a number of
antimusarinic agents in
contemporary use. Oxybutynin
chloride is the most commonly
prescribed anticholinergic for OAB

In an attempt to reduce the
incidence of these AEs, a new
formulation, allowing a more
controlled release of the drug over
a 24 - hour period (oxybutynin
ER) was introduced. The sustained
release produces a more sustained
plasma concentration when

32

compared with the IR preparations
and, hence, a much more stable
steady - state concentration for 24
hours. Tablet doses between 5 and
10 mg are available, and several
randomized controlled studies
have shown that oxybutynin ER
is as effective as IR preparations
with the additional benefit
of a reduction in dry mouth.
Other modes of oxybutynin
delivery include intravesical and
transdermal administration.
Intravesical therapy was developed
to increase the balance in
favour of efficacy over AEs in
those patients routinely using
intermittent self - catheterisation.
Oxybutynin (typically 5mg) is
mixed with normal saline and
administered twice a day via a
urethral catheter. Several small
open - label studies have shown
that intravesical administration of
oxybutynin can reduce subjective
and objective detrusor overactivity.
Clearly, the main limitation of this
route of administration, associated
with the use of intermittent self
-catheterisation, is the increased
risk of developing cystitis due to an
irritant effect of the solution, and
a higher risk of developing urinary
tract infections with subsequent
high dropout rates.

oxybutynin metabolites are
the principal cause of AEs,
alternative delivery routes have
been sought that would avoid
oral administration and first
pass metabolism. Consequently,
a transdermal preparation of
oxybutynin has been developed.
At the present time, this agent has
not yet been licensed for use in
5A. An initial short - term study of
transdermal verus oral oxybutynin
IR in adults with urinary urge
incontinence reported that both
treatment options had similar
efficacy, but the transdermal
route produced significantly less
dry mouth. A double - blinded
randomised controlled trial (RCT)
of transdermal oxybutynin at 3.9
mg administered twice weekly
versus placebo, reduced the
number of weekly incontinence
episodes, reduced average daily
urinary frequency increased
average voided volume and
significantly improved quality of
life (QOL) compared with placebo.
The incidence of dry mouth
was similar in both the groups,
and the main AEs associated
with transdermal delivery were
erythema and pruritis at the site of
application.

Following the hypothesis that

33

Different anticholinergics available in RSA

Drug Name

Brand Name

Licensed dose

Tolterodine tartrate ER

Detrusitol XL

4mg o.d

Darifenacin hydrobromide

Enablex

7.5 - 15mg tds

Oxybutynin hydrochloride

Ditropan

2.5mg b.i.d - 5mg tds

Oxybutynin hydrochloride ER

Lyrinel XL

5 - 20mg o.d

Oxybutynin hydrochloride tds

Kentera

1 patch twice weekly

Trospium chloride

Uricon

20mg b.i.d

Solifenacin succinate

Vesicare

5 - 10mg o.d

Propiverine hydrochloride

Detrunorm

15mg o.d. -tds

Propiverine hydrochloride ER

Dertrunorm XL

30mg o.d.

Key:

o.d. = once daily
b.d. = twice daily
tds = three times daily

Propiverine hydrochloride is a

tertiary amine with a half - life
of approximately 20 hours,
showing peak levels in serum
after approximately 2.3 hours
after ingestion. Like oxybutynin
it exhibits a mixed action,
exhibiting both anticholinergic
and musculotropic effects (calcium
channel blocking activity). Doses
vary between 15 and 30 mg
daily. The clinical trials and data
with this agent are limited to
a month's duration or less. In a
double - blinded randomized
placebo - controlled trial of people

with OAB, propiverine 15 mg
three times daily was compared
with oxybutynin 5 mg twice
daily and placebo. Both drugs
produced objective and subjective
improvements compared with
placebo at 4 weeks compared
with baseline. Propiverine was as
effective as oxybutynin in reducing
urgency and urge incontinence,
but was associated with a lower
incidence of dry mouth.

Tolterodine was launched in
1998 and was the first modern
anticholinergic on the market.

34

The ER formulation was released
as a once - daily preparation
aimed at producing a stable serum
concentration over 24 hours. ER
has peak serum concentration at
2-6 hours post administration.
Therapy with tolterodine ER 4mg
appears to be efficacious in both
older and younger people with
OAB; it is useful for at least up to
12 months with improvement in
voiding diary parameters including
urgency, and patient perception of
their condition with a benefit of
HRQL based on the King's health
questionnaire. The ER formulation
is more effective than placebo in
different degrees of incontinence
severity. It has been shown to be
effective in treating women with
mixed urinary incontinence with a
predominance of urge symptoms
over stress.

Trospium chloride, a quaternary
amine, is purported to lack
CNS effects as it does not cross
the blood - brain barrier. Its
half- life is between 12-18
hours and reached peak plasma
concentrations between 4 and
6 hours. The usual dose is 20mg
twice daily. Trospium 20 mg twice
daily has shown similar results
when compared with oxybutynin
5 mg twice daily, with significant
reduction in urodynamic and

voiding diary parameters
(frequency, urgency and urge
incontinence) for up to 52 weeks
after trospium 20 mg twice - daily
treatment.

Two new anticholinergic agents
have been released in recent
years, namely solifenacin and
darifenacin. Solifenacin has a
mean time to maximum plasma
concentration of 3 - 8 hours and
long elimination half - life of >45
- 68 hours. Solifenacin produces
a significant reduction in voiding
frequency and a significant
increase in volume voided/void in
people with OAB and urodynamic
evidence of detrusor overactivity.
The recommendation is for
an initial 5 mg dose with the
possibility of dose flexibility by
increasing the dose to 10 mg as
required. The long term efficacy
of solifenacin has been reported
in an open - label extension of
randomised placebo - controlled
trials. The efficacy seen in the
initial trials was maintained for
up to 52 weeks. About 85% of
the study population was satisfied
after 24 weeks of flexible dosing,
and with regard to efficacy, 74% of
the population were satisfied after
24 weeks of flexible dosing.

Darifenacin is a tertiary amine

35

derivative and is the most selective
M3 receptor antagonist. It has
been shown to have a higher
degree of selectivity for the M3
over the M2 receptor compared
with other anticholinergics, with
marginal selectivity for the M1
receptor. In healthy volunteers
after oral administration of
darifenacin, peak plasma
concentrations are reached after
approximately 7 hours with
multiple dosing, and steady -
state plasma concentrations
are achieved by the sixth day
of dosing. In a double - blind,
radomised, crossover study
comparing darifenacin with
oxybutynin in people with
proven detrusor overactivity and
associated symptoms of OAB,
darifenacin was as effective
as oxybutynin in terms of the
ambulatory urodynamic variables
tested but darifenacin 1 5 and
30 mg controlled release was
significantly better in salivary flow
compared with oxybutynin 5 mg
three times daily.

The introduction of darifenacin has
fuelled debate over the potential
importance of pharmacological
selectivity as related to the AE
profile. M1 and M3 receptor have
been attributed to dry mouth,
M1 to cognitive impairment, M2

to cardiac effects and M3 and
M5 to visual effects. Certainly, in
this population, this would be of
greater significance due to the
existence of comorbidity and the
susceptibility to impaired cognitive
function and nervous system
effects. Definitive comment on
this subject will inevitably await
adequately powered head - to -
head comparative studies. Dose
flexibility has been explored with
darifenacin and clearly showed
that some people who do not
respond to a lower dose of drug
(7.5mg) will do so at higher
doses (1 5mg), but will develop
more pronounced AEs inevitably,
however, they may accept this as
part of the 'trade - off for the
greater efficacy experienced

It is clear that among the many
drugs tried for the treatment
of OAB, acceptable efficacy,
documented in RCT's of good
quality, has only been shown
for a limited number. The
anitmuscarinics tolterodine,
trospium, solifenacin and
darifenacin, the drugs mixed
actions, oxybutynin and
propiverine, and the vasopressin
analogue, demopressin, were
found to fulfill the criteria
for leveM evidence according
to the Oxford assessment

36

system and were given grade
A recommendations by the
International Consultation on
Incontinence. All antimuscarinics
apart from oxybutynin IR were
found to be well tolerated. Dry
mouth was the most commonly
reported adverse event and no
drug was associated with an
increase in any serious adverse
event.

Generally there is little or no good
evidence to choose between the
anticholinergics

Oestrogen

Whilst the use of oestrogen in the
treatment of women with stress
incontinence is controversial, its
use in women with the irritative
symptoms of OAB is more
established. Postmenopausal
women with genital atrophy or
OAB symptoms may receive oral
or topical therapy provided no
contra - indications exist, but at
present, oestrogen therapy for
stress incontinence is unwise. As
we wallow in post "Women's
Health Initiative" hype, we must
remember the negative impact
of withholding the beneficial
effects of oestrogen on the pelvic
floor, and not precipitate a host

of symptoms caused by significant
genital atrophy. Oestrogen is
not useful for treating urinary
incontinence, but may reduce the
incidence of UTI's.

MIXED
INCONTINENCE

Ethipramine

Tricyclic anti - depressants have
been used widely for symptoms
of frequency, urgency, urge
incontinence and especially
nocturia for many years. Although
grade 1 evidence justifying their
use is lacking, many patients
are satisfied with the results.
Ethipramine is inexpensive and
widely available, with a multitude
of effects - and side effects.

Its actions are anticholinergic
in nature, with an adrenergic
effect on the bladder neck.
Theoretically at least, this makes
it ideal for mixed incontinence,
but its side - effects are often
troublesome. It causes cardiac
conduction defects and this has
caused the WHO to warn against
its use. Dry mouth and drowsiness
are the most bothersome side
effects, limiting its use. The drug

37

is available in 10mg and 25mg
tablets, and the usual starting
dose is 10mg in the mornings,
with 25mg or 50mg at night. The
soporific effect of ethipramine may
be used to advantage, allowing
increased evening dosage. Contra
- indications are as for other anti -
cholinergics. If clinicians prescribe
ethipramine, they must be aware
of its cardiac effects especially in
elderly women.

Imipramine

The use of imipramine is parallel
to that of ethipramine - with the
proviso that it remains untested
as a pure anticholinergic for use
in incontinence. Imipramine is
primarily, with amytriptyline, an
antidepressant, and its useful
anticholinergic effects are purely
fortuitous. Clinicians must be
aware that these agents are of
limited use as niche agents, and
that ethipramine is perhaps more
clinically useful.

Pharmcotherapy remains the
mainstay of therapy for the
treatment of OAB, and the
contemporary literature shows that
antimuscarinic agents are used
as a first line therapy for OAB. To
gain a better understanding of the

overall benefits of OAB treatment,
it is critical that RCTs use validated
instruments to assess HRQL and to
relate these changes to changes in
OAB symptoms. The International
Continence Society advocates the
use of HRQL measures in clinical
research has provided increasing
evidence for the HRQL benefits
conferred by effective OAB
treatments.

The future emphasis of work in
this field must also incorporate
patient - perceived outcomes using
existing tools to assess bother and
QOL

The future

There is an overall trend towards
development of once daily
extended release preparations for
existing anticholinergics, such as
extended release oxybutynin and
propiverine. Multiple strengths
are now available in certain once
daily agents such as solifenacin,
allowing more flexible therapeutic
options. Urinary urgency does not
always arise within the bladder,
and that when investigating OAB
we should consider a variety of
pathological causes. With the
exception of botulinum toxin
and neuromodulation for failed

38

medical therapy for OAB, there
have been no new important
surgical innovations. These last
two options have superceded
bladder augmentation by bowel
interposition, since they are far less
invasive, are reversible, and have
fewer side effects.

39

Chapter 6

Intractable Overactive Bladder:
Advanced Management
Strategies

Stephen Jeffery

Introduction

The mainstay of treatment
for Overactive Bladder is fluid
management, bladder retraining
and anticholinergic drug therapy.
There are, however, a subset of
women who do not respond to
these standard treatment regimens
and remain incontinent, their
symptoms having a profound
impact on their quality of life.
Studies have shown that only
18% of women stay on their
drug treatment for longer than
6 months. This appears to be as
a result of inadequate efficacy
and not side effects. Morris et al
performed one of the only trials
on long -term outcomes of women
treated for OAB with a standard
care package of anticholnergics
and bladder retraining. Looking
at the same subjects a mean of
eight years following discharge

from the incontinence clinic, only
7% of the cohort reported being
cured, with 65% still suffering
significant symptoms. Previously,
the only therapeutic option for
these patients was surgery in the
form of bladder augmentation.
These operations, however,
carry a high morbidity with
most having voiding dysfunction
requiring clean intermittent self
catheterization, and troublesome
mucus production.
A number of newer promising
treatment options have been
developed, including Botulinum
Toxin and nerve stimulation
techniques.

1. Botulinum Toxin

Botulinum Toxin, which is
produced by the bacterium,
Clostridium Perfringens, is the
most potent toxin known to man.
It is a Gram positive, anaerobic

40

bacteria which is commonly found
in the soil and 1g of the toxin can
kill 1 million people. It blocks the
release of acetylcholine at the
neuromuscular junction in the
detrusor muscle. Amongst those
who have contributed to the
science of Botulinum Toxin, credit
must be given to Schantz who
purified the toxin and enabled its
mass production. Its first clinical
use was in 1980 when it was
used to treat strabismus. There
are 7 subtypes, A, B, C, D, E, F ,
G, however only Toxins A and B
are available commercially. The
Botulnum A Toxin preparation,
Botox® (Allergan Inc.) is probably
the most well known, but there
is an alternative called Dysport®
(Ipsen Pharma). Botulinum Toxin
B is marketed by Solstice.

Botox® has been more extensively
evaluated in the literature than
Dysport®, but there are now
a number of studies that now
confirm its efficacy. Botox® is
three times more potent than
Dysport and most reports use
300u for Neurogenic DO and 200u
for Idiopathic DO. Exact dosages
for Dysport are less clear and
ranges from 500u to 1000u are
administered.

The toxin is usually administered

using either a flexible or rigid
cystoscope using a flexible 26
gauge needle that is threaded
through the working channel of
the scope. The toxin is diluted
into 20 ml of normal saline and
injected in 1ml aliquots under
local or general anaesthesia.
Most practitioners avoid injecting
the bladder trigone because of
the theoretical risk of reflux.
Recent work has, however, shown
that trigonal injections are not
associated with reflux and have
equivalent efficacy to the extra-
trigonal administration. When a
flexible cystoscope is used, the
Botox can be given using local
anaesthetic gel but sedation or
general anaesthesia is usually
necessary when using a rigid scope.

Schurch et al were the first to use
intradetrusor Botox injections for
the treatment of severe detrusor
overactivity in spinal cord injured
patients. Profound improvements
were demonstrated, with 17 of 19
patients achieving continence. A
large amount of data has emerged
since then suggesting excellent
efficacy in Neurogenic DO. Schurch
et al reported again in 2005 on
59 NDO patients. This was double
blind placebo controlled parallel
group study. They gave patients
either placebo, Botox 200u or

41

Botox 300u. Up to six months
follow-up, they reported a 50 %
reduction in incontinence episodes
with 49% of the cohort reporting
being dry. The urodynamic findings
compared to placebo were
remarkable with highly significant
increases in maximum cystometric
capacity at two, six and 24 weeks
compared to placebo.

Following the success in NDO a
number of studies began looking
at the treatment of Idiopathic
DO. The problem with IDO is the
risk of voiding dysfunction - since
unlike in NDO, most of these
patients have normal voiding
function. Popat et al published
the first data on IDO using Botox,
achieving continence rates of
57%. The incidence of de novo
voiding dysfunction was 19%. In
a further randomized controlled
trial, Sahai et al report profound
improvements in multiple
outcomes following the injection
of Botox when compared to
placebo.

The main adverse event following
Botulinum injections is temporary
urinary retention, with a reported
incidence of between 19% to
35%. Women who develop
this complication are required
to perform clean intermittent

self catheterization or have a
suprapubic catheter inserted.

The Botulinum Toxin effect on the
detrusor lasts for approximately
six to nine months and it usually
requires repeat administration
following this. As the urgency and
urge incontinence return, normal
voiding is also regained in those
women who developed urinary
retention.

An important factor to take into
consideration is the cost of the
Botulinum Toxin product. Botox is
sold in vials of 100u and a single
course of 300u would have a cost
in excess of R6000. Dysport has
only recently been launched in
South Africa and would have a
comparable price tag. One would
need to add to this the costs of
administration, including surgeons
fees, theatre time and disposables.

2. Sacral Nerve Stimulation
(SNS)

This device works by implanting a
pacemaker-like neurostimulator
in the lower back that sends mild
electrical impulses to electrodes
that are usually placed adjacent
to the third sacral nerve root.
The device received European
Union approval in 1994 and USA
FDA approval in 1999 and more

42

than 35000 devices having been
implanted worldwide to date. In
patients with OAB, SNS restores
the balance between inhibitory
and excitatory control systems
at various sites in the peripheral
CNS. This involves stimulation of
somatosensory ascending tracts
projecting from the bladder into
the pontine micturition centre
in the brain stem. The electrical
impulses also activate the pelvic
efferent hypogastric sympathetic
nerves, which promotes
continence.

The device is inserted in two
phases. The test phase includes the
temporary insertion of a needle
into the sacral foramen under
local anaesthetic and the electrical
stimulation is derived from an
externally placed battery and
generator. If the subject reports a
satisfactory response after three to
four weeks, defined as more than
50% improvement in symptoms,
a permanent device is sited.
This involves the implantation
of a long-term battery and
neurostimulator in the buttock and
lower back.

A RCT reported continence
outcomes of 47% at six month
follow up, with a further 29%
reporting more than 50%

reduction in leakage episodes.
A further systematic review
confirmed these findings with
67% of patients reporting being
dry or having a more than 50%
improvement in symptoms.
Another trial that followed
patients up for a mean of more
than 5 years reported continued
success in 76% of the cohort.

Despite these success rates, this
therapeutic option is not accessible
to the majority of women largely
due to the cost of the device and
the expertise required to place and
maintain the neurostimulator. It is
available in South Africa, supplied
by Medtronic, but retails for
approximately R55000.

There are also significant adverse
events associated with this
equipment including pain and
discomfort, seroma formation,
disturbed bowel function and
wound dehiscence.

3. Posterior Tibial Nerve
Stimulation

Because of the technical and
cost implications of SNS, indirect
neuromodulation of S2,3 and 4
via stimulation of the posterior
tibial nerve, was developed. The
technique is performed by passing
an electric current between a

43

small acupuncture needle 4cm
above the medial malleoulus and
an electrode on the sole of the
patient's foot. The device has
only recently become available
and marketed by Manta Surgical
under the name of "Urgent PC" in
South Africa. There is a significant
disposable component to the
equipment, including a single use
electrode and needle and this
unfortunately drives up the cost of
using this device. The treatment
regime consists of up to 12 weekly
sessions of 30 minutes although
it may be efficacious after shorter
treatment periods, it does not last
indefinitely and it needs to be
repeated after a few months.

It has been shown to be efficacious
in two trials with one reporting
more than 50% reduction in
leakage episodes in 70% of
their cohort, 46% of the subjects
reporting being dry. 71 % of the
cohort of 53 patients in another
trial reported treatment success.

4. Surgical Therapy

Clam ileocystoplasty and
augmentation procedures are
usually reserved for patients
with neurogenic detrusor
overactivity and high pressure
bladders with the potential of
upper tract damage. The advent

of neuromodulation and Botox
has provided us with additional
options prior to resorting to
surgery. Augmentation procedures
also have a high incidence of
urinary retention requiring
catheterization.

5. Alternative therapy

A number of studies have shown
acupuncture to be a useful
adjunct to therapy. A study
performed in the late 1980's
reported a 77% reduction in
urgency and frequency in 77% of
their patients versus only 20%
in placebo. These findings have
been confirmed by Bergstrom et
al who also demonstrated reduced
incontinence episodes. The most
interesting data have emerged
from a trial where women were
randomised to acupuncture in
bladder specific points versus
relaxation point acupuncture.
They demonstrated significant
improvements in quality of life
and frequency episodes in the
group receiving bladder specific
acupuncture. Acupuncture is
readily available, is inexpensive
and can be performed by many
physiotherapists- and hence should
be kept in mind for those women
who do not want medication.

44

Chapter 7

The Treatment of Stress
Incontinence

Peter de Jong

Stress Urinary Incontinence is
defined as the complaint of
involuntary leakage on effort
or exertion, or on sneezing or
coughing.

Stress incontinence occurs when
one coughs, sneezes or jumps,
resulting in a few drops or urine
leaking out. It is caused by vaginal
childbirth, aging and genetic
factors.

Where do we begin?
- Physiotherapy

The first step in therapy is to have
the sufferer visit a physiotherapist
with a special interest in pelvic
floor rehabilitation. The physio will
assess the strength of the patient's
pelvic floor, and suggest exercise
to enhance the muscle power of
the Levator muscles. She will need
to have a programme of daily

exercises extending over a number
of weeks.

Pelvic Muscle Exercises

Do 45 pelvic muscle exercises every
day, 15 at a time, 3 times a day:
15 lying down in the morning
1 5 standing up in the afternoon
1 5 sitting down in the evening

For each exercise:

Squeeze the pelvic muscles for
10 seconds (start at 1 second and
build up)
Relax for 10 seconds

Remember to relax at the muscles
in your abdomen when you do
these exercises, and continue to
breathe normally.

Test the power and effectiveness of
your exercises by placing 2 fingers
in the vagina, and squeezing. The
physio will assist in assessing pelvic
muscle tone.

45

The physiotherapist may
also choose to employ the
following:

Weighted vaginal cones, which
are placed in the vagina while
the patient actively squeezes the
pelvic muscles to prevent the
vaginal cones from falling out. The
weights begin at 20g, and increase
until the woman can manage to
retain a cone of 100g, for 30min
twice daily.

Faradism, where tiny electric
impulses are sent through an
electrode placed in the vagina.
The current stimulates the correct
muscles to contract, and so build
Levator power.

Bio feedback, where the patient
squeezes a balloon placed in the
vagina, reflecting on an indicator
the power of the pelvic muscle
contractions.

If a woman persists in
physiotherapy, there is no doubt
that the technique will result in
better muscle strength and control,
with a corresponding improvement
in bladder control.

Bear in mind that physiotherapy
is without side effects, may be
done at home, and empowers
the sufferer to take charge of her

recovery.

Physiotherapy is also useful in the
management of the overactive
bladder, when exercises are known
as the "urge strategy", and help
in the management of urge
incontinence

When Is Surgery
Indicated?

When the relief obtained by
physiotherapy is unsatisfactory,
then other options may be
explored.

For women with significant
symptoms (for example, they need
to wear a pad daily), some form of
surgical option may be indicated.

The Surgical
Management Of
Stress Incontinence

Vaginal birth and aging are
important causes of urinary
stress incontinence. Ingenious
operations to cure this common
and distressing symptom in women
have been devised. As a better
understanding of the mechanisms
of continence have evolved,

46

operations to cure the condition
have improved.

Over the years there have been
many operations for the treatment
of urinary incontinence, suggesting
no single procedure is effective
in the management of this
common and distressing condition.
Recently new procedures have
become available, being safer,
and more effective, than previous
interventions.

Historical Perspective

Traditionally the anterior repair
of a cystocoele using Kelly
plication sutures have been useful
in the management of stress
incontinence. However the effect
is transient, and while it cures
anterior compartment prolapse,
the anterior repair is not an
authentic continence operation.
Meta analyses of heterogenous
studies suggest a continence rate
of 67% - 72%, but generally the
success is around 66%. Long term
results are poor, and at 5 years
success falls to 37%. The major
indication for a bladder buttress
in contemporary practice is for the
woman who prefers to sacrifice
continence for a reduced chance
of complication - the incidence of

long -term voiding complication
following this procedure
approaches zero.

One of the first effective
procedures to gain acceptance
was the Burch colposuspension.
John Burch described his
operation in the 1950's and it
became the accepted benchmark.
Several sutures plicate the
peri - urethral fascia to elevate
the anterior vaginal wall and
bladder. Colposuspension is still
applicable today, if the patient
requires a continence procedure
and is fortuitously undergoing
laparotomy.

While the Burch procedure is as
effective as modern sub - urethral
slings, a prospective randomized
trial showed higher morbidity
than the sling so it is nowadays
probably best reserved for women
subject to serindipidous pelvic
surgery. Several drawbacks attend
the operation, chief of which is
subsequent enterocoele formation.
Voiding dysfunction, detrusor
overactivity and uterovaginal
prolapse are consistently reported
sequelae to colposuspension.
The widespread adoption of the
modern TVT has been primarily
driven by the reduced surgical
morbidity of such procedures. In

47

a recent randomized controlled
trial between the TVT and
colposuspension, analysis after 2
years reported an objective success
rate for the Burch of 51 % versus
63% for the TVT group.

In the 1960's needle suspension
procedures were popularized by
Stamey, Pereyra, Raz and others,
but time has shown that while
short - term cure was reasonable,
they were insufficiently robust
to maintain continence. Needle
suspensions are now perhaps
only indicated in the less - mobile
elderly where a quick gentle
procedure will suffice. Efficacy in
the long term is poor, with only
50% - 60% cure at 4 years. Needle
suspensions do not produce a
lower complication rate than
the colposuspension, and there
is little evidence to support their
continued use.

Having been described and used
more than a century previously, the
rectus sheath sling was all the rage
in the 1970's. While this effectively
cures stress incontinence, the
procedure suffers considerable
morbidity, and comes with the
high price of voiding difficulty
and irritative storage bladder
symptoms. The mean cure rate
is a pleasing 86% but long term

voiding dysfunction (refractory
urge incontinence, the need for
clean intermittent catheterisation,
and sling revision) occur in 10% of
cases. Rectus fascia procedures are
safe, with good longterm results
and have became the benchmark
for this form of sling surgery.
Autologous slings can be used to
provide effective long term cure of
stress incontinence, but allograft
and xenograft slings should only
be used in the context of well
constructed research trials.

In the 1980's the laparoscopic
Burch was introduced, riding the
crest of the endoscopic revolution.
This sporting procedure was the
province of the laparoscopic
affecionado, but showed no
advantage over the other
procedures of the time. There is a
higher cure rate with the "open"
Burch procedure, and the evidence
on laparoscopic Burch is limited
by short - term follow - up, small
numbers, poor methodology and
its technical difficulty.

Peri - urethral injectable agents
have been used for the treatment
of SI for the past century, but
newer agents have caused a
re - focus on these methods. A
variety of substances have been
reported to be safe including GAX

48

collagen. Teflon, zirconium beads,
hyaluronic acid, and autologous
fat and cartilage. But the ideal
agent remains elusive. Agents
are applied without general or
regional anaesthesia, but there
is no agreed method, technique,
location, volume or equipment
for the procedure. Although short
term efficacy in some agents is
satisfactory, evidence shows that
long term durability of more than
4 years is poor, and no agent is
superior to another in terms of
efficacy, durability or safety. A
recent report suggests that stem
cells may be injected adjacent
to the urethral sphincter. No
data is available suggesting how
stem cells obtain innervation, or
functional potential. This form
of therapy is for now at least,
still very experimental. Para-
urethral injections can be offered
to women with SI on the basis of
low operative morbidity - if they
are prepared to accept a poor long
term success rate.

In the 1990's the concept of urinary
continence being maintained by
sub - urethral fascial support was
mooted by Petros and Ulmsten in
their "Integral Theory" of female
continence. From this came the
Tension- Free Revolution, with the
realization that an open - weave

10mm sub - urethral sling placed
without tension mid - urethrally,
afforded remarkable results with
little morbidity. The original
retropubic approach (TVT-R) has
now in the new millennium been
superceded by the transobturator
slings - safer, easier vaginal
procedures with the same tension
- free sub - urethral principle, but
avoiding the pelvic cavity and its
viscera completely.

Long term data suggested that (at
least until recently) the retropubic
TVT-R had become the benchmark,
with excellent cure rates in a
well described, standardized
procedure, easily reproduced
by most urogynaecologists with
predictable outcomes. The Burch
colposuspension, conversely,
had many modifications and
variations of sutures, approaches
and methods, yielding variable
outcomes as a result.

With progress in minimally
invasive surgery, and the idea
instead of using trochars attached
to synthetic slings instead of
open incision, the retropubic
midurethral sling (MUS) was
developed.

For descriptive purposes, the term
MUS will be used to describe

49

the group of synthetic slings
placed under the midurehtra
with a small incision using various
trochar devices. This is in contrast
to the traditional slings which
typically were placed under the
proximal urethral through larger
incisions without trochars. The 2
general categories of MUS are the
retropubic and transobturator
Cede

The Retropubic TVT
(TVT-R)

The classic retropubic tension
- free vaginal tape (TVT-R) is
a safe and well - tolerated
procedure with an 81 % cure
at 7 years follow - up, and an
improvement rate of 94%. Some
fatalities have occurred due to
bowel damage and uncontrolled
retropubic haemorrhage. A
few small, retrospective, non -
randomized studies comparing
retropubic to the newer
transobturator procedures show
similar cure rates, but these
studies are too underpowered
to show meaningful differences
in complications rates. Review
papers suggest the obvious, that
obturator approaches are safer
because of avoidance of pelvic
cavity viscera - but no hard

evidence exists to support this
notion. Given that transobturator
approaches are probably safer and
equally as effective as retropubic
TVT, the thoughtful continence
practitioner must consider if the
"inside - out" route is safer, or
otherwise, than the "outside - in"
transobturator approach.

The New

Transobturator

Approach

Transobturator "outside - in"
procedures

This concept was first described
in 2001, and represented a
completely different approach
for placement of the tension -
free mid - urethral tape. Initially
a welded semi - rigid tape of
non - woven monofilament
polypropylene was used, with
5% elasticity and 70% porosity
(Obtape TOT device). This tape is
now obsolete. Women are placed
in the Lithotomy position, and the
10mm tape passes sub - urethrally
through the obturator fossa to exit
the skin through a small incision
on the medial aspect of the inner
thigh. The introducer passes from
the obturator fossa medially
inwards towards the vagina, hence

50

the "outside - in" appellation.

The manufacturers (Mentor -
Porges) have since introduced the
ArisR type 1 light weight superior
mesh, being woven in such a
manner as to have low elasticity.
Since 2002 more than 25, 000 TOT
procedures have been performed,
giving a reported success rate
of 80% - 90%, improvement
in continence of 7% - 9%,
and a failure rate of up to 7%.
Complications include bladder
injuries in 0.7% of cases, and a
3% - 5% incidence of voiding
dysfunction.

Another popular "outside - in"
device is the MonarcR tape, and
one - year data shows similar
results. The objective cure rate is
82%, with adverse events including
mesh erosions, urinary retention
and urinary tract infections.

Data are very difficult to interpret
and care must be taken when
comparing studies. Since no "head
to head" prospective randomized
comparative trials of methods have
been presented, it is impossible
at this point to claim superiority
or safety of one product over
another.

Post - operative retention occurs in
around 0.5% of cases, with other
complications including thigh pain,
haematomas, vaginal and urethral
erosions. The overall Obtape
complication rate is around 3.6%.
These results have been carefully
collated by a French Multicenter
Registry with ObtapeR surveillance,
comprising 9 centres and including
data from some 730 women.

In a recent study of 1 17 women,
the ObtapeR afforded a 92%
cure (defined as complete or
partial satisfaction), with a 5%
complication rate. Tape erosions
over the 22 month follow - up
period, occurred in 3 cases.

Transobturator "inside - out"
procedures

The Transobturator "inside -
out" approach was first mooted
by de Leval in 2003. The device
is introduced through a 10mm
suburethral vaginal skin incision,
and passed laterally through the
obturator fossa to the medial thigh
area, and hence the "inside - out"
moniker. This novel approach
was developed after extensive
cadaveric dissection and one
year data suggest a 91 % cure
rate, with 5% of cases showing
improvement. Post operative
complications include voiding
dysfunction in 5% of women,
with a 12% incidence of transient

51

inner thigh pain and a few cases
of vaginal healing defects. In a
2004 prospective series, Waltregny
found a cure rate of 94% with no
reported complications. Procedures
typically take around 20 minutes
to perform, and may be done as
day case procedures if the patient
prefers. Although general or
regional anaesthesia is the norm,
they may be done under local
anaesthetic. Intra - operative
cystoscopy is not generally
required.

It is difficult to draw conclusions
from these data, and clinical trials
will show comparative success rates
and the incidence of perioperative
complications. It has become
common to measure the "passing
distance" of the different devices
to vital anatomical structures
in preserved or fresh cadaver
specimens, but once again this
does not necessarily translate to
clinical safety or otherwise.

Transobturator
"Outside In" Vs
"Inside Out" -Which
Is Best?

The "Outside in" approach of
Delorme

The original technique of Delorme
is intuitive and uncomplicated,
even in obese subjects.
Theoretically the passage of the
vaginal finger may cause some
tissue destruction because of
the more extensive dissection,
particularly in the atrophic
vagina with thinner vaginal skin,
leading to infection, erosion
or tape displacement. With
the introduction of the new
improved type 1 mesh (ARISTM),
a lower erosion rate is expected.
Complications involving the
urethra, bladder and vagina have
been described.

The "Inside out" approach of de
Leval

This dissection is less extensive
without the need for digital
control, and the mesh used is
extra - ordinarily well tolerated
with long -term clinical data
available. Whilst the urethra and
bladder may be at less risk than in
the original outside - in technique,
clinical trials will need to confirm,
or refute the notion of increased
safety using the newer operation.

Hysterectomy during a
continence procedure

Hysterectomy is a commonly
performed operation in
gynaecology, and SI is a common

52

condition. Should hysterectomy
be combined with a prophylactic
continence procedure? Is the
efficacy of either procedure
affected by concomitant surgery?
Assuming that SI is a symptomatic
and demonstrable problem,
evidence suggests that abdominal
hysterectomy performed at the
time of a Burch colposuspension
has no adverse effect on the
cure rate of stress incontinence,
but complications are increased
significantly. However vaginal
hysterectomy at the time of a TVT
has no adverse effect on surgical
outcome. Bear in mind that when
performing an anterior repair
procedure, a significant percentage
of cases will develop de - novo
SI because urethral obstruction
is relieved. It is very difficult to
predict which cases will develop de
novo SI, and no predictive tests are
currently available to determine
which cases should be offered
"prophylactic" incontinence
procedures.

The Future

Recently the "mini - sling"
products have become available,
consisting of shorter lengths of
mesh introduced vaginally below
the subpubic arch, with no exit

points. The mini - sling type
operations work on a different
principle to the conventional
obturator approach, and are
placed with the mesh adjacent to
the urethra. At this stage no long
term comparative data regarding
efficacy are available. Stem cells
injected para - urethrally remain
an interesting possibility, but are
still, at this stage, experimental.

Conclusion

The obturator approach to the
treatment of stress incontinence
offers many advantages over
previous operations, especially
ease of surgery, safety and good
predictable cure rates. Apologists
for each method have preferences
that should be respected - but at
the present time there is no sound
clinical evidence comparing the
"outside - in" to the "inside - out"
transobturator approach, and
this data is awaited with interest.
Theory and opinion do not
translate to clinical evidence. While
the retropubic approach is still
popular, the obturator approach
has many probable advantages to
recommend this technique, and
make it the treatment of choice.
A multitude of sling products are
now available on the South African

53

market, many being fake copy -
cat counterfeits of the originators.
While the ersatz knock - offs
may be slightly cheaper (since no
development costs were involved),
the originators have the advantage
of published clinical trials proving
good outcomes. Fake products are
seldom an improvement on the
originals and must be used with
caution.

References

Extensive use has been made of
detailed reviews by Cardozo and
Chappie published in the BJOG.
The interested reader is urged to
obtain the BJOG supplements,
and obtain references from the
reviews.

54

Chapter 8

The Management of Voiding
Disorders

Peter Roos

Introduction

Incomplete bladder emptying
and urinary retention can lead
to severe urinary tract infection
and upper urinary tract disease
as a consequence of retrograde
infection and hydronephrosis.
Obviously these problems all carry
quite a significant morbidity and
even mortality if unrecognised
and untreated. Undiagnosed
problems related to voiding will
often be diagnosed only when
one encounters the troublesome
complication of urinary retention
following pelvic floor surgery. It is
therefore essential that anybody
practicing gynaecology, urology
or uro-gynaecology should have
an understanding of the causes,
diagnosis and management of
voiding disorders.

Aetiology

There are essentially only 3 reasons
that an individual will experience
difficulty with voiding:

• Inefficient or absent detrusor
contractility. Impaired detrusor
contractility (IDC) and detrusor
areflexia (DA).

• Obstruction to urinary flow
often called bladder outlet
obstruction in males. (BOO)

• Lack of co-ordination between
detrusor contraction and
relaxation of the urethral
sphincter, known as detrusor-
sphincter dyssynergia (DSD).

It would seem quite simple to now
present a trainee in gynaecology,
urology or uro-gynaecology with
a set of tables giving the causes
of the three different types
of dysfunction. The problem
however is that neurological
pathology can often be a cause

55

of these dysfunctions and various
neurological conditions can cause
overactive bladder symptoms,
impaired detrusor contractility
and incontinence. A good starting
point therefore is to list the various
neurological factors which can
affect the lower urinary tract
(Table I)

Table I: Neurological Disorders
Affecting Voiding

• Cerebrovascular accidents
Brain tumours

• Cerebral Palsy

• Parkinsons disease

• Shy-Drager Syndrome

• Multiple sclerosis

• Spinal cord injuries - suprasacral
and sacral

• Infectious conditions (tabes
dorsalis, poliomyelitis, transverse
myelitis, herpes zoster)

• Skeletal abnormalities of the
spine (disc problems, ankylosing
spondylitis)

• Peripheral nerve damage
(radical surgery, diabetes
mellitus)

Most conditions of the central
nervous system can produce the
full range of bladder symptoms,
varying sometimes from one stage
of the disease to another.

Sacral spinal injuries, lumbar-sacral
nerve route compression and
peripheral nerve damage usually
cause DA.

Important causes of DSD are spinal
cord injuries and multiple sclerosis.
These conditions can cause high
pressures within the bladder
of above 40cmH20 without the
urethral sphincter opening. This
causes severe back pressure and
upper urinary tract damage.
Fortunately most neurological
conditions causing bladder
pathology will be perfectly
obvious. It is however important
in the patient with atypical or
mixed urinary symptoms to be
on the lookout for more subtle
neurological changes before
instituting treatment, especially
surgical treatment.

Neurological disorders often
overwhelm the average clinician,
who probably slept through
neurology lectures at university.
These are just a few important
things to remember.

Table 11: Other Causes Of
Voiding Dysfunction

Obstructive

• Urethral stenosis

• Urethral sphincter hypertrophy

• Pelvic masses

56

• Uterine prolapse

• Anterior vaginal wall prolapse

• Foreign bodies

• Post surgical, especially surgery
for urinary stress incontinence

Inflammatory

• Severe vulvo vaginitis (genital
herpes, severe vulvo-vaginal
candidiasis)

• Urethritis and cystitis

Pharmacological

• General anaesthesia

• Regional anaesthesia

• Analgesics (Morphine)

• Anti depressants

• Anti cholinergics

Detrusor Muscle Abnormalities

• Detrusor myopathy

• Over distention

Psychogenic

Post Partum Voiding Difficulty

Idiopathic

Surgical

• Will be discussed later in this
chapter

Diagnosis

History

A good history is usually the most
important aspect of making a
diagnosis for any condition. Until
recently, however, the correlation
between history, clinical findings
and special investigations has
shown poor correlation in women
and been more extensively and
better defined in men.

The following urinary symptoms
are however important in making
the diagnosis of suspected voiding
abnormalities. Be aware however
that different studies have linked
these symptoms differently to
confirmed voiding disorders

• Hesitancy

• Straining to void

• Feeling of incomplete emptying

• Terminal dribble

• Post micturition dribble

• Splitting and spraying of urine

• Changing position to void

The above urinary symptoms
may also be associated with
overactive bladder symptoms and
incontinence.

Further important questions in
the history would be careful
questioning about the usage

57

of medications, recent pelvic or
abdominal surgery, neurological
symptoms and symptoms of utero-
vaginal prolapse.

Examination

A good general examination
looking for systemic causes of
urinary symptoms is vital.

Abdominal and pelvic
examinations should concentrate
on detecting local lesions and
anomalies, which might cause
urinary obstruction, such as pelvi-
abdominal tumours, utero-vaginal
prolapse, vulvo-vaginitis, urethritis
and evidence of pelvic floor spasm
or relaxation.

In difficult cases, with mixed
urinary symptoms, or where
symptoms have had sudden onset,
careful neurological examination
including inspecting the lumbar
spine, assessing sensory and
motor function in the pelvic area
and checking peripheral reflexes
are all important features of the
examination.

Special Investigations

• Mid stream urine examination

58

for infection and haematuria

• Post micturition residual
volume. For a long time, a
residual volume of 100ml was
considered to be cut off point
for normality, however more
recently it has been suggested
that any residual volume over
30ml might be associated with
urinary tract infection. Residual
volumes can be measured either
by catheterisation or ultrasound
scanning. Ultrasound scanning

is less invasive and causes
less discomfort than urinary
catheterisation. It is important
to remember however that the
accuracy of this measurement
depends on the time since the
last passage of urine until the
time of the measurement of the
residual volume.

• Uroflowmetry is an excellent
non invasive screening test
for voiding dysfunction. A
flow rate of less than 1 5ml per
second would be considered
to be abnormal. This flow
rate however also needs to be
compared to the voided volume
and the Liverpool Nomogram,
plotting flow rate against
voided volume, is used for this
purpose.

• Uro-dynamic studies. If the
diagnosis of voiding dysfunction
has been made, uro-dynamic

studies are important for
confirmation of this diagnosis
and to assess whether the
voiding dysfunction is associated
with poor detrusor contractions
or obstruction, associated with
high bladder pressures of more
than 20cm H20 with maximum
flow of less than 1 5ml/sec.

• Imaging of the bladder
and lower urinary tract by
means of ultrasound or
videocystourethrography can
also be used.

• Other simple non invasive
investigations could include
voiding diaries and frequency
and volume charts kept by the
patient.

Treatment Of Voiding
Disorders

(Excluding Voiding Difficulty
After Incontinence Surgery)

The treatment of voiding
disorders obviously is dependant
on the underlying cause. If the
underlying cause is obstructive,
such as in pelvic swellings, utero-
vaginal prolapse, constipation or
foreign bodies, these problems
should obviously be attended to.
Treatment of vulvo-vaginitis and
urethritis goes without saying.
In consultation with the medical

practitioners taking care of this
particular patient, changes in
medication, which might be
causing the problem should be
considered as well as attention to
the psychological and psychiatric
health of the individual.
If the condition is untreatable or
chronic, such as in neurological
disorders, the following options
are recommended:

• Timed voiding with assistance in
increasing abdominal pressure,
such as the Valsalva manoeuvre
or Crede's manoeuvre, where
the patient or an assistant
increases the abdominal
pressure by pushing supra-
pubically.

• Intermittent clean
catheterisation. This has
proven to be a very useful and
safe method of emptying the
bladder without continuous
catheterisation. This can be done
at 2-4 hourly intervals and can
be performed by the patient
themselves if they have the
necessary motor co-ordination
to do it. In spinal injuries
below C7, most patients can
manage this themselves. Clean
catheterisation as opposed

to sterile catheterisation is
quite acceptable in the home
environment, however in
hospital, it might be more

59

appropriate to use sterile
techniques to prevent cross
infection.

• Continuous catheterisation.
This can either be done by
trans-urethral catheter or
supra-pubic catheterisation.
These patients need careful
surveillance for urinary tract
infection, stone formation and
regular cystoscopy to exclude
the development of bladder
carcinomas.

• Medical therapy. Medical
therapy should be aimed at
treating urinary tract infections
and reducing the risks of high
pressure bladders with a closed
urethra by using anti cholinergic
agents. Medical therapy to
increase detrusor contractions
has been disappointing.

• Neuromodulation with
stimulators might be used in
some of these conditions.

Voiding Difficulty
After Incontinence
Surgery

Voiding difficulty and retention of
urine following surgery for urinary
stress incontinence is becoming
less common, but is nevertheless
a stressful and uncomfortable

complication for both patient and
surgeon. Having said that, the
incidence is probably becoming
less with the use of mid urethral
tapes, this condition probably also
remains under diagnosed and
under reported.

The two major issues concerning
post operative urinary retention
are:

1. Can it be predicted and
therefore prevented

2. What to do about the problem
once it arises.

Causes Of Post Operative
Voiding Dysfunctions

• Undiagnosed pre-existing
condition.

• Factors related to anaesthesia
e.g general anaesthesia,
regional anaesthesia, atropine,
anaesthetic reversal agents and
analgesics

• Post operative pain.

• Oedema and swelling around
the urethra and bladder neck.

• Constipation.

• Operative technique e.g over-
elevation of the bladder neck
with colpo-suspension and
urethral compression with mid-
urethral tapes.

• Other possible causes of post
operative voiding dysfunction
are previous incontinence

60

surgery, age and post
menopausal status

Incidence

The reported incidence of post
operative voiding difficulty and
retention of urine varies greatly
in the literature and is frequently
thought to be under reported.

Comparative studies between
colpo-suspension and tension free
vaginal tapes suggest that the
incidence is approximately 7% in
both of these procedures. The
reported incidence of voiding
dysfunction following mid urethral
tapes, either by the retro-pubic
or trans-obturator route seems to
settle between 4 and 6 % but has
been reported as high as 10%.
Reported incidence of voiding
dysfunction in previously used
procedures such as Burch colpo-
suspension, Marshall Marchetti
Krantz procedures, slings and
needle suspensions have varied
between 5 and 22%.

Voiding dysfunction following the
injection of bulking agents, does
not seem to have been a major
problem.

Prediction Of Post Operative
Urinary Retention

• Although there is no universal

agreement, it is important to
pay attention to the symptoms
of voiding dysfunctions listed
above.

• History of age, menopausal
status and previous surgical
history should be taken into
account.

• The presence of a raised residual
urine.

• Uroflowmetry of less than 15ml/
second.

• Abnormalities of uro-
dynamic studies, particularly
those suggestive of outflow
obstruction and poor detrusor
activity for whatever cause.

• Inexperienced surgeon not
following recommended
techniques

Management

• Prevention. Attention should be
given to the above predisposing
factors. In the care of a trained
uro-gynaecologist after careful
assessment, these factors do not
necessarily preclude the use of
surgery for the treatment of
urinary stress incontinence.

• Counselling. Patients having
surgery for urinary stress
incontinence should all be
counselled that urinary
retention and voiding difficulty
might be a complication in up
to 10% of cases. Furthermore,

61

in cases where voiding difficulty
might be anticipated, it might
be worthwhile teaching clean,
intermittent self catheterisation
pre-operatively.
• Temporary causes of voiding
dysfunction and retention
should be treated expectantly.
Within a few days, swelling,
bruising and oedema should
disappear and various drugs
contributing to the problem
should be excreted. The
treatment of pain and
constipation are important.

Post operative voiding difficulty
with high residual volumes
and urinary retention might
occur either in the immediate
post operative period or much
later, even after years. The
management of the problem
related to the surgical procedure
itself, particularly with the use of
mid urethral tape, is according
to whether the diagnosis is made
in the immediate post operative
period or much later

days before tissue ingrowth has
taken place. This can be done
as a simple surgical procedure
with local anaesthesia. The
vaginal epithelium over the tape
is opened and the tape itself is
pulled down 1-2 cm.

• Later diagnosis of voiding
difficulty in the presence of
mid urethral tapes, when tissue
ingrowth has already taken
place, needs to be done as a
more formal surgical procedure
either cutting or removing a
portion of the tape underneath
the urethra.

• Other forms of surgical release
include transvaginal and
retropubic urethrolysis.

A very nice description of the
methods of releasing post surgical
obstruction can be found in the
Textbook of Female Urology
and Uro-gynaecology, Volume
2 Chapter 68 by Huckabay and
Nitti, Editors Cardozo and Staskin,
Publishers Informa Healthcare,
2006

• Early post operative voiding
difficulty, particularly with the
presence of a mid urethral tape,
which persists beyond the time
when the reversible causes
have disappeared, is usually
treated early in the first 7-10

The early and late release of mid
urethral tapes is very successful
in the management of voiding
difficulties and interestingly, up
to more than 60% of patients will
remain continent despite cutting
or removing the tape, however in

62

some of these patients, overactive
bladder symptoms might persist.

There is some difference of opinion
as to whether when removing a
tape for obstruction, one should
replace it immediately with a
new tape. There are some who
recommend removing the tape
and then doing a cough test to
assess whether there is stress
incontinence, before putting a new
tape in. It would seem however
appropriate to adopt a wait and
see policy in view of the fact that
so many people, particularly with
late release of tapes will remain
continent after the tape cutting or
removal.

In the event of planning
conservative management for the
above problems, it is frequently
necessary to perform intermittent
catheterisation and pay special
attention to the treatment of
overactive bladder symptoms with
anti cholinergics. With the easy
access to changing tension and
removing and cutting mid urethral
tapes, conservative management
with prolonged catheterisation
and the use of anti cholinergics is
becoming less popular.

Recommended
Reading

1 . Vasavada S, Appell R A, Sand P
K, Raz R eds. Female Urology,
Uro-Gynaecology and Voiding
Dysfunction. London: Taylor and
Francis 2005.

2. Abrams P. Urodynamics third
edition. Springer-Verlag London
2006.

3. Cardozo L, Staskin D Textbook
of Female Urology and Uro-
Gynaecology Second Edition
Informa Healthcare 2006.

4. Lansang R S. Bladder
Management March 2006.
eMedicine Specialities,
Rehabilitation Protocols.
Massagli T L, Talavera F, Salcido
R, Allen K L, Lorenzo C T editors.

5. Both the International Uro-
Gynaecology Journal (including
pelvic floor dysfunction) and BJU
International are journals worth
consulting on a regular basis,
where you will find updates,
reviews and original articles

on the topics discussed in this
chapter.

63

Chapter 9

Sexual function in women with
urinary incontinence

Kobus van Rensburg

Introduction

Urinary incontinence and pelvic
organ prolapse can adversely affect
almost every aspect of a woman's
life, including her sexuality.
Sexual function is complex and
impacts the woman to affect the
perception of her own image and
the formation of relationships with
others.

Sexuality and urinary incontinence
are often considered to be
taboos in the minds of many
people, but recently the fields
of urogynaecology and female
urology have focused attention
on female sexual function to align
it with the extensive research
performed in male sexuality.

At present, there is no consensus
regarding the definition of normal
sexual function. In 1992 the World
Health Organization International

Classification of Diseases-10
defined female sexual dysfunction
(FSD) as "the various ways in
which an individual is unable to
participate in a sexual relationship
as she would wish". In1998, Basson
et al received consensus on the
classification of sexual dysfunction
and divided it into four major
categories including dysfunction
of desire, arousal and orgasm
with a fourth category for sexual
pain disorders. The final category
included other sexual pain
disorders not associated with coitus
(Tablel). The American Foundation
for Urologic Diseases classification
system includes personal distress in
each category and therefore the
general opinion is that in order to
make a diagnosis of FSD, it must be
associated with personal distress.

The focus of this chapter will be
directed towards the impact of
urinary incontinence on female
sexuality.

64

Prevalence

i)FSD

According to the National Health
and Social Life Survey FSD is
common, with a prevalence of
43% in women between the ages
of 18 and 54 years. Lack of desire
is the most common category with
32% of patients describing this as
reason for their dysfunctional sex
lives. (Table 2)

ii) FSD and urinary incontinence

Coital urinary incontinence (CUI)
occurs in 24- 34% of women.
Thirty-two percent of women
reported urinary incontinence
at intercourse in a recent South
African study, with 31% avoiding
intercourse altogether due to their
urinary leakage. In the same study,
stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
was more commonly associated
with leakage during penetration
(32%) when compared to urge
urinary incontinence (UUI) (7.8%).
However, women with urge urinary
incontinence leaked more often

during orgasm (15.4%) compared
to women with SUI (6.6%). This
confirms then the commonly
held notion that SUI occurs more
commonly during penetration and
UUI during orgasm.

Etiology of sexual
dysfunction

i)FSD

The etiology of FSD is multi
dimensional including
physiological and psychological
factors, and interpersonal and
sociocultural influences. (Table 3)

Physiological factors, such as
medical condition involving the
urogenital tract, contribute to
the complex etiology of FSD.
Psychological factors such as mood
disturbances, stress and substance
abuse are also etiological factors.
Interpersonal relationship such as
partner illness or lack of privacy
might also contribute to FSD.
Finally, sociocultural influences,
such as cultural and religious

Table I. Categories of sexual dysfunction

Low sexual desire

Difficulty with
Arousal

Difficulty with
orgasm

Sexual pain
disorder

Hypoactive sexual
desire disorder

Sexual aversion

Female arousal
disorder

Dyspareunia

Vaginismus

Other non-sex causes

65

beliefs have an important impact

on sexual function.

Table III: Etiology of female

Societal taboos

i) FSD and urinary incontinence

Table 1

Prevale

rice of female sexual dysfunction

35%

OQO/
/0£ 70/

30%

/27%^

25%

24%.

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

/

/

/

/ /

I

_ac

:k inter

es

t Unal

Die org

as

m

Pain

Sex not
pleasurable

i

sexual dysfunction (FSD)
(Bachman et al. In CD: Insights
in FSD (2004)

Physiol

Psycol

Urogenital

Depression / Anxiety

Neural

Prior abuse

CVS

Stress

Medication

Alcohol / Substances

Hormonal loss

FSD

Interpersonal Sociocultural

influences

Inadequate education

Conflict family, religious

Urinary incontinence can be
associated with FSD for a number
of reasons, including physical and
psychological factors, performance
anxiety, pain and an unsympathetic
reaction from the partner. Other
issues contributing to a sense
of reduced sexuality include a
poor self-esteem, mood changes
associated with decreased libido,
the use of protective underwear
and reduced spontaneity. The fear
of leaking urine and a concern
about odour also induce a sense
of anxiety. Women who leak and
have developed a vulval dermatitis
as a result may occasionally present
with Dyspareunia.

Looking at the overall impact of

66

stress, urge and mixed urinary
incontinence, it would appear
that a mixed picture has the
most significant impact on sexual
function in women.

Coital incontinence should always
be evaluated in the context of the
women's age since this has also
been identified as an independent
risk factor for a decline in
sexual activity. Specifically, the
menopause is known to be
significantly associated with a
decrease in libido, sexual activity
and responsiveness. Caution should
therefore always be exercised
when evaluating a woman with
FSD, where coital incontinence
is occasionally blamed for sexual
problems which pre-existed.

Evaluation of FSD

Currently there are no completely
reliable instruments available
to measure or diagnose sexual
dysfunction. It is essential that a
women's sexual function causes
personal distress before the
clinician makes a diagnosis of FSD.
Sexuality is only one aspect of
quality of life (QOL). The World
Health Organization defines QOL
as not only the absence of disease,
but also complete physical, social

and mental wellbeing.

Different methods of evaluating
of QOL are available. Validated
questionnaires represent a more
objective assessment and have
become an essential tool used
to standardize and collect data.
Two types of questionnaires are
available, including a general
questionnaire and a condition
specific questionnaire. The general
questionnaire is insensitive
to a condition such as urinary
incontinence, whereas a condition
specific questionnaire is more
surgery sensitive to the effect of
lower urinary tract symptoms on
QOL, but in turn does not evaluate
other health related issues.

Questionnaires are often intrusive
and ask very intimate questions.
However, in a study that was
used to develop and validate a
questionnaire looking at urinary
incontinence and sexual function
(SF-IUIQ), 82.2% of the women did
not report feeling too embarrassed
to complete the questionnaire.
The short form of the pelvic organ
prolapse/urinary incontinence
sexual questionnaire (PISQ-12)
is a useful condition specific
questionnaire. In the clinical
setting this short form of the PISQ
provides a template for clinicians

67

to discuss sexuality and helps to
evaluate outcome before and
after treatment intervention which
could be conservative or surgical.

Treatment of Urinary
incontinence and
Female sexual
dysfunction

In most studies looking at the
outcomes of treatment for urinary
incontinence, objective measures
of continence outcomes are usually
the primary aims and sexual
function is usually assessed as a
secondary outcome.

Conservative treatment

These measures usually reduce
urinary incontinence and
improve QOL and sexuality. The
International Continence Society
(ICS) includes pelvic floor muscle
training (PFMT) as first line therapy
for stress urinary incontinence,
urge urinary incontinence and
mixed urinary incontinence. A
number of small studies have been
done to evaluate the impact of
PFMT on coital incontinence. In a
RCT of 59 women with SUI , Bo
et al reported a 50% decrease in
coital incontinence in the group
receiving PFMT compared to a

reduction of only 10% in the
placebo group. Admittedly, this
was a small study but it certainly
supports the role of PFMT as
a first line in reducing coital
incontinence.

For some patients, simple advice
such as emptying the bladder
prior to intercourse or a change in
position are effective in reducing
coital urinary incontinence.

Women with overactive bladder
find the symptoms particularly
more bothersome compared to
those patients complaining of
stress urinary incontinence since
urinary leakage is not the only
symptom. Bladder training and
anticholinergic drugs are the
treatments of choice, but the cure
rates and the impact on sexuality
remain unclear.

Surgical treatment and sexual
function

When surgery is planned the risk
of post-operative dyspareunia
related to each type of operation,
should always be considered. An
increasing number of papers have
raised the issue of FSD in women
who undergo urogynaecological
surgery but conflicting data have
been reported.
In the past the Burch
colposuspension was most

68

commonly performed operation
for the surgical treatment of stress
urinary incontinence. During
the last decade, however, the
mid-urethral tapes, employing
polypropylene monofilament
mesh, have become the gold
standard. Baessler et al were the
first to report, in a retrospective
study on Burch colposuspension,
on a 70% decrease in coital
incontinence following surgery.
It decreases incontinence at
penetration by 80% and during
orgasm by 75%.

A review of vaginal surgery for
SUI and female sexual function
reports that the retropubic TVT
does not appear to adversely affect
overall sexual function. Other
retrospective and prospective

studies have reported varying
results ranging from deterioration
to equivocal with some reporting
improvement in outcomes. (Table
IV) Mesh erosion is an important
cause of dyspareunia for both
sexual partners. In a prospective
study looking at urodynamic stress
incontinence treated with either
retropubic TVT or transobturator
TVT, overall scores as measured
by the PISQ sexual questionnaire
improved significantly with specific
improvements in the physical and
partner related domains. The
behavior/emotive domain showed
no significant improvement.
Other treatment
Estrogen treatment requires
further research, but currently
it does not appear to be of
value in the treatment of urinary

Tablel V: Sexual function after tension-free vaginal tape procedure

Sexual Study type Number Unchanged Improved Worsened
function % of
Reference: Patients

Maaita et al
(2002)

Retrospective

43

72

5

14

Yeni et al (2003)

Prospective

32

No pre- and postoperative difference

Elzevier et al
(2004)

Retrospective

65

72

26

1.6

Glavind and
Tetche (2004)

Retrospective

48

60

25

6

Mazouni et al
(2004)

Prospective

55

74

2

24

Ghezzi et al
(2006)

Prospective

53

62

34

4

69

incontinence.

Conclusions

Sexuality is complex and the
etiology of female sexual
dysfunction is multidimensional.
FSD is common and the taboo
nature of sexuality and urinary
incontinence is a challenge for the
clinician. Coital incontinence and
urinary incontinence can cause
FSD. Validated questionnaires,
evaluating sexuality will render
more reliable and objective data in
the future. These instruments also
have a role in assessing FSD pre-
and post treatment. The use of
pelvic floor muscle training should
be considered as the first line of
treatment for coital incontinence.
Simple advice to empty the
bladder prior to intercourse should
also be offered. Surgical treatment
for stress urinary incontinence
does not adversely affect female
sexual function but further
research, specif ic to mixed urinary
incontinence, is required. Sexuality
should be an essential outcome
measure with intervention studies
on the surgery for SUI.

70

Chapter 10

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
in Women

Dick Barnes

Incidence

Urinary Tract Infections are
extremely common in women
of all ages. 25-30% of women
aged 20-40 years have had a UTI
and 40% of patients with UTIs
will have a recurrence within one
year. The prevalence of UTIs in
young women is thirtyfold that
of young men but with increasing
age this ratio decreases due to
high incidence of BPH in men.
The elderly (20% of women)
have a significant incidence of
bacteriuria (predisposing factor to
development of UTI).

Pathogenesis

The urinary tract is normally sterile
above the level of distal urethra. In
the majority of UTIs, the organism
ascends to the urinary tract via
the ascending route. The female

urethra is short and close to the
faecal reservoir (source of most
organisms causing UTIs) hence
the higher incidence of UTIs in
females compared to males. The
main defence mechanism against
infection is the hydrokinetic
effect of regular effective voiding.
For a significant infection to
develop, an organism needs to
gain access to the urinary tract,
adhere to the urothelium and
multiply in numbers. Virulent
bacteria can overcome normal
host defence mechanisms whereas
less virulent bacteria result in
significant infections in patients
with abnormal urinary tracts or
those with compromised immunity.
During sexual intercourse the
faecal organisms causing UTIs
colonise the vagina and thus sexual
activity encourages ascending
infection.

71

The microbiology of UTI is as
follows:

• Escherichia coli (E coli)
responsible for:

> 85% of community acquired
}UTIs

> 50% of hospital acquired }

• other common Gram-negative
organisms:

> Klebsiella

> Proteus

> Pseudomonas

• Gram-positive organisms can
also cause UTIs:

> Strep, faecalis

> Staph, aureus

> Staph, epidermidis

> Staph, saprophyticus

• In diabetics and
immunocompromised patients
fungi (Candida) and viruses
(adenovirus, cytomegalovirus)
cause a significant proportion of
UTIs

Predisposing Factors

General Factors

• Females

• Elderly

• Diabetes mellitus: The glucose
in urine is a good culture
medium for organisms. Diabetes
also impairs the function of
white blood cells and diabetic

autonomic neuropathy may
cause a lower motor neuron
neuropathic bladder with poor
bladder emptying.

• Immunocompromised patients:

> malnutrition

> HIV/AIDS

> cancer

> chemotherapy

> immunosuppression

• Analgesic abuse

> can cause papillary necrosis

Local Factors

Any condition that impairs the
normal flow of urine, or interferes
with normal emptying can
predispose to infection.

• Obstruction of upper tracts
(kidneys and ureters)

> stones

> PUJ obstruction

> sloughed papillae (diabetics)

• Bladder outflow obstruction

> urethral stricture

> post mid-urethral tape surgery

• Neuropathic bladder

• Vesico-ureteric reflux

• Foreign bodes in urinary tract

> bladder catheter

> double J ureteric stent

• Urological "procedures"

> cystoscopy

> urodynamics

• Vesico colic fistula

• Pregnancy

• Vaginal infections

72

Acute Pyelonephritis

Acute pyelonephritis is an acute
bacterial infection of the renal
parenchyma and is the commonest
disease of kidney.

Complications of Acute
Pyelonephritis

• Septicaemia and septic shock

• Abscess

> intra-renal

> perinephric

• Chronic pyelonephritis

> healing with scarring

• Renal failure

> if bilateral chronic
pyelonephritis

Clinical Presentation

• History

> fever and rigors

> loin or back pain

> nausea and vomiting in some
patients

> LUT symptoms (frequency,
dysuria) often absent

• Examination

> ill and pyrexial

> loin tenderness

• Urine

> Dipstick: WBCs ++ Nitrite test
positive

> Microscopy: pus cells ++
organism +

> Culture: send specimen before
starting antibiotics

• Blood Culture

> NO imaging (i.e. U/S) is
needed in the acute phase
UNLESS:

» diabetic

» immunocompromised
» history of stone disease
» no response to antibiotics
within 72 hours

Treatment

• General Measures

> admission to hospital if toxic,
vomiting

> intravenous fluids if
inadequate hydration

> blood culture if high
temperature

• Antibiotics

> Goals of treatment

» eradicate infection
» prevent complications

> Ideal antibiotic
» bactericidal

» broad spectrum

» high penetration and

concentration in urine and

renal tissue

> Antibiotics most frequently
used:

» Aminoglycosides

» Fluoroquinolones

» Cephalosporins

» Co-amoxiclav (Augmentin)

» Amoxycillin and Co-

Trimoxazole are not useful
agents for empirical

73

therapy because of high
incidence of resistance to
Ecoli
» antibiotics should be given
for 7-14 days and whichever
agent is used, cure rate =
90%
• Urological Investigation (once
acute infection has resolved)

> All women with recurrent UTIs

> Associated haematuria

» patients with recurrent
acute pyelonephritis in
the absence of urinary
tract abnormality should
have long-term continuous
low dose antimicrobial
prophylaxis (see below)

Cystitis

Clinical Presentation

• frequency and urgency

• suprapubic and back pain

• dysuria

• no pyrexia

• elderly patients may present
with sudden onset of
incontinence and/or smelly urine

Treatment

Three day course of treatment
is sufficient to eliminate
uncomplicated cystitis completely
Single dose therapy only 70%
effective.

Agents used:

• Fluoroquinolones

• Co-amoxiclav

• Cephalosporins

• Nitrofurantoin

Recurrent Cystitis

• recurrent cystitis in females is
very common and is usually re-
infection

General Measures

• good fluid intake

• local hygiene

• sexual intercourse

• void before and after
intercourse

• avoid spermicidal creams and
diaphragm contraceptives

> topical oestrogens for
atrophic vaginitis

> treat constipation

Specific Measures

Three options:

1 . Continuous low dose
chemoprophylaxis
Nitrofurantoin, Cephalosporin
nocte dose for 6-9 months

2. Post intercourse single dose
therapy if UTIs related to
intercourse. Antimicrobials as
above

3. "Self-start" Therapy. Patient
has supply of treatment (usually
Fluoroquinolone), when
symptoms of cystitis begin send

74

urine specimen for culture and
initiate therapy, attend doctor
few days later when culture
result available

75

Chapter 1 1

Neurogenic Bladder

Frans van Wijk

Introduction

In a normal urogynecology
practice, physicians might from
time to time see patients with
underlying neurologic diseases.
These women may present to the
clinic with symptoms of lower
urinary tract dysfunction including
incontinence, incomplete bladder
emptying or recurrent bladder
infections. It is important to have
a basic knowledge of possible
underlying neurological conditions
that might cause these symptoms.
It is not the aim of this chapter to
include all neurologic conditions
and give a complete overview
of all the possible treatment
modalities. It is, however,
important to understand the basic
concepts and therefore a proper
knowledge of the physiology and
anatomy of bladder function is
essential. The physician will then
be able to localize the site of the
lesion and adjust the treatment.

It is also important to know of
treatment modalities so that the
patient can have access to different
options if necessary.

NLUTD (neurogenic lower urinary
tract dysfunction) is a condition
where diagnosis and treatment
needs to be tailored to the
individual patient and underlying
disease. It is often the most
challenging as well as the most
gratifying condition to treat and
care for.

Physiology

Normal voiding is a complex
interaction of supraspinal and
spinal control. This will cause
relaxation of the urethra and
sustained contraction of the
detrusor to facilitate complete
empting of the bladder.

Neural control of normal

76

micturition is a complicated system.
A simplified summary is as follows:

The supra-pontine control centres
in the frontal cortex of the limbic
area and the cerebellum have an
inhibitory effect on the function
of the bladder. The pons has
two regions, the M- region for
stimulation and the L- region
for inhibition. The spinal cord
will relay the sympathetic,
parasympathetic and somatic fibers
to the lumbar and sacral areas
and the parasympathetic system
will stimulate the detrusor muscle
whereas the sympathetic system
will increase outflow resistance.
The somatic system has control of
the rhabdo muscle of the urethra
as well as control of the pelvic
floor muscles. All 3 systems must
work in balance to create normal
storage and voluntary voiding of
the bladder.

A neurogenic bladder can
be described as the effect of
neurological disease on lower
urinary tract function.

To understand the function better
the different systems will be
discussed separately.

Central nervous system (CNS)

The cortical pathways originate

in the pre central gyrus, lateral
prefrontal cortex and anterior
cingulate gyrus. These centers
mainly inhibit the midbrain area,
the so-called pontine micturition
center (PMC). CNS control of
micturition centers around the
middle pons. Barrington showed
in cats that the motor tone of the
bladder arises in this region. The
Pontine Micturition Centre (PMC)
is called the M-region and causes
stimulation of detrusor muscle
and relaxation of the sphincter.
Stimulation of this center will
lower urethral pressure, inhibit
pelvic floor contraction and
stimulate detrusor contraction.

Stimulation on the same level as
the M-Region but more lateral, the
so called L-region, will stimulate
Onuf's nucleus to contract the
urethra. Thus the midbrain will
control either storage or emptying
function of the bladder through
the M and L pontine micturition
regions.

CNS control centers around the
middle pons, where Barrington
showed in cats that the motor tone
of the bladder arises, is the most
important.

The midbrain gets inhibitory and
stimulatory control from many

77

different regions in the brain
namely frontal cortex, cerebellum,
and hypothalamus.

The main neurotransmitters in the
CNS are glutamate for stimulation
and GABA and glycine for
inhibition.

piriformis muscle overlying the
sacral foramina and form the
pelvic plexus which in turn supplies
the pelvic organs. The fibres
terminate in ganglia in the wall of
the bladder making it vulnerable
to injuries of the bladder e.g. over-
stretching, infection or fibrosis.

A central concept in the
development and organization of
the brain is plasticity. This means
that the brain can adjust its hard-
wiring through conditioning or
external stimuli.

This is mainly achieved by
the organization of the
interconnections through the
white matter. It is now understood
that the white matter is an
extremely dynamic part of brain
development.

The changes of aging on the
brain have a variable effect and
may cause abnormal sensory
perceptions or reduced inhibition
of bladder function.

Parasympathetic System

Parasympathetic stimulation
will start in the M-regions of the
pontine micturition center to the
intermedial grey matter of the
spinal cord at level S2-4.These
fibres will then emerge from the

In the ganglia, the nerves
are stimulated by nicotinic
acetylcholine receptors. Other
neurotransmitters are also active at
ganglia level but not as important.

Postganglionic parasympathetic
fibres diverge and store
neurotransmitters in synaptic
vesicles. On electrical impulse
the vesicle binds to the synaptic
membrane and deposits the
acetylcholine in the synapse to
stimulate muscarinic receptors
on the muscle fibres stimulating
muscle contraction through
intracytoplasmic calcium release.

Sympathetic system

Sympathetic stimulation
reaches the bladder through
preganglionic fibres from
thoracolumbar spinal segments
that synapse in paravertebral
and paravertebral sympathetic
pathways. Postganglionic neurons
reach the upper vagina, bladder,
proximal urethra and lower ureter

78

through the hypogastric and
pelvic plexuses. The sympathetic
preganglionic neurotransmitter
is mainly acetylcholine, acting
on nicotinic receptors and post
ganglionic transmitters, primarily
norepinephrine. Stimulation of
B-adrenergic receptors in the
bladder causes relaxation of the
smooth muscle and stimulation
of alpha-one receptors in the
bladder base and smooth muscle
of the urethra causing muscle
contraction.

Norepinephrine also suppress
secretion of the presynaptic
parasympathetic cholinergic
neurotransmitter. Urine storage
is thus attained by detrusor
relaxation, urethral muscle
contraction and inhibition of
parasympathetic stimulation all
through sympathetic stimulation.

Somatic innervation

Skeletal muscle is present in the
distal portion of the urethra
and pelvic-floor muscles. The
innervations come from Onuf's
somatic nucleus in the anterior
horn of S2-4 segments. This
nucleus gives rise to the pudendal
nerve, which supplies the rhabdo
urethral sphincter. Important
neurotransmitters include
serotonin and norepinephrine.

These increase the effect of the
excitatory neurotransmitter,
glutamate, on pudendal motor
neurons. The effects on the
rhabdo sphincter are achieved
by acetylcholine stimulation of
nicotinic cholinergic receptors.

Sensory pathways

The two important sensory
feedbacks are transported to the
central nervous system through the
parasympathetic and sympathetic
system. They have a contra and
ipsilateral supply.

Proprioceptive endings are present
in collagen bundles in the bladder
and these are responsible for
stretch and contraction sensations.

Free nerve endings (C fibres) are
in the mucosa and submucosa
and stimulated through pain
and temperature. The sensory
endings contain acetylcholine and
substance P.

Urethral sensation is transmitted
mainly through pudendal nerve.

Central areas that receive bladder
and urethral sensation are the
periaqueductal grey matter (PAG),
insula and anterior cingulate gyrus.
An area in the frontal cortex is
also activated at times of filling.
A study of both normal patients

79

and those with overactivity of the
bladder showed different areas
of predominant activity. Using
functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI)4), the insula is
stimulated to a greater extent
anteriorly with unpleasant bladder
sensations. These sensations are
received by the PAG and mapped
in the insula. It would therefore
seem that not only normal sensory
impulses but also abnormal
impulses or abnormal mapping are
responsible for overactivity of the
bladder. It is easy to understand
that diffuse neurologic disorders
might have an effect on the
perception of sensory impulses of a
normal LUT.

Epidemiology

There are no exact figures on the
prevalence of neurologic disease
of the lower urinary tract. It is
important, however, to recognize
that patients with neurological
disease should be evaluated for
lower urinary tract function. Any
patient with unexplained lower
urinary tract symptoms should be
evaluated for possible neurologic
abnormality. It is even more
important that, before invasive
surgery, including prolapse
and incontinence operations,

that neurological conditions
are considered, especially if the
symptoms do not fit together.

Classification

It is clear from the previous
physiologic description that
a simple classification is not
possible. Therefore, the physician
should evaluate detrusor and
sphincteric function as separate
entities. Both of these can be
either normal, hyperactive or
hypoactive in function. It is also
important to make sure that
there is co-ordination between
the detrusor and sphincteric
function. Sphincteric function has
an autonomic (sympathetic) and
a somatic control. Incoordination
is described as detrusor-sphincter
dyssynergia. The diagnosis of
detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergia will
not state which system causes the
outflow obstruction (sympathetic
or somatic). These can, however,
be differentiated by proper
examination. A distinction should
be made between detrusor-smooth
muscle sphincter dyssynergia
or detrusor-striated muscle
dyssynergia.

The higher the lesions, the
more hyperactivity we find and
the lower the lesion, the more

80

o

Overactive

Underactive

Subsacral

Detrusor

O

o

Underactive Normo-active Overactive

Urethral sphincter

Lesion: Spinal Lumbosacral Suprapontine Lumbosacral

Detrusor.

O

o

Normo-active

Overactive

Underactive

Urethral sphincter

Lumbosacral

Sphincter only Sphincter only

Madersbacherclassifi cation system with typical neurogenic lesior

This classification will give a good description of the pathophysiology as
well as guide further treatment

hypofunction.

The evaluation of the patient
should include:

• Detrusor function

• Urethral function

• Co-ordination between the two

Neurologic
Conditions

Supra-pontine lesions

Supra pontine lesions e.g.

81

Alzheimer or stroke patients.
These conditions will lead to less
inhibition of bladder control. It
is important to understand that
aging will cause atrophy of the
cortex and can therefore also
cause less control of the bladder
function. This might not directly
be associated with pathology but
occur as part of the normal aging
process. High lesions will mostly
cause over activity of the bladder
but coordinated voiding with
normal urethra.

Diverse neurologic conditions:

Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease gives a diffuse
dysfunction of the neurologic
system because of degeneration
of primarily the dopaminergic
neurons. Dopamine deficiency
in the substantia nigra accounts
for the classical motor features
of the disease. This leads to
resting tremors and slow onset
of movements. This condition
will only cause lower urinary tract
dysfunction after many years and
there is a slow progression in the
disease. Treatment must always
take into consideration that
the condition might deteriorate
and that the patient might lose
proper motor activity of the hands
and later not be able to self-

catheterize. Treatment decisions
must take into account the
progression of the disease.

If lower urinary tract symptoms
develop early then Multiple System
Atrophy (MSA) must be considered.

Voiding dysfunction occurs in
35-75% of patients. It normally
consists of frequency, urgency,
nocturia and urge incontinence.
Urodynamically they normally have
detrusor overactivity. Generally
they have coordinated sphincters
although sporadic involuntary
activity of the striated muscle
might occur as shown by EMG
measurements without any true
obstruction.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive
disease affecting young and
middle aged people with
twofold predilection for
females. The primary lesion is
neural demyelination with axon
sparing and it is possibly immune
mediated. Demyelination often
affects the corticospinal and
reticulospinal columns of the
spinal cords. Therefore voiding and
sphincteric dysfunction is common.
Voiding symptoms will be present
in 50-90% of patients. Detrusor
overactivity with striated sphincter

82

dyssynergia is the most common
finding. Detrusor areflexia might
also be present. Up to 15% of
patients might present with the
urinary symptoms before the
primary neurologic diagnosis of
Multiple Sclerosis is made.

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)

This is a progressive degenerative
neurologic disease that is
characterized by combination of
Parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxia
and autonomic failure. In this
condition the lower urinary
tract function will be affected
fairly soon after the start of the
disease. Therefore, aggressive
rehabilitation for the urinary
tract dysfunction is often not
indicated and not very satisfactory.
The cause of the disease is
unknown and it is a progressive
neurodegenerative condition with
a life expectancy of a mere 9 years.
The so called Shy-Drager syndrome
is possibly the end stage of the
disease.

Spinal cord damage

Spinal cord damage, as in spinal
cord injuries, spina bifida patients
and compression of the spinal cord
due to disc compression, tumors
or cysts as well as cauda equina
lesions can all lead to different
types of fallout of the bladder and

sphincter control.

These patients will normally end
up having treatment in a center
for neurologic rehabilitation. It
is important to have a high index
of suspicion for cauda equina
lesions or spinal cord compression
in patients that develop new
symptoms of lower urinary tract
dysfunction, especially if it is
associated with fallout in the lower
extremities. It is normally caused
by central disc compression at the
level of L5 or S1 where the cauda
equina is central in the spinal
space before it exits through the
foramina. Cauda Equina syndrome
is characterized by perineal
sensory loss, loss of both anal
and bladder voluntary sphincters
and sexual responsiveness. They
have acontractile detrusor muscle
and no bladder sensation. These
patients will have to be evaluated
urgently to prevent permanent
damage. Even with emergency
decompression, permanent
detrusor areflexia is common.
Complete spinal cord lesions below
T6 will normally give detrusor over
activity with smooth sphincter
synergia and striated sphincter
dyssynergia. Sensory loss will also
be present below the lesion.

Lesions above T6 might have

83

smooth muscle sphincter
dyssynergia as well, because of
sympathetic damage.

Treatment of spinal cord injuries
should aim to create a low-
pressure system and emptying with
clean intermittent catheterization.

A complication of the above T6
lesions is Autonomic Hyperreflexia.
This is characterized by an acute
autonomic response (primarily
sympathetic) causing headache,
hypertension and flushing of the
body above the lesion. Avoidance
of stimuli in susceptible patients
is important and sublingual
nifedipine either as prophylactic
or therapeutic treatment seems
very effective. Dosage of 10- 20
mg might be used as it prevents
smooth muscle contraction
through calcium channel blockade.

Transverse myelitis is a rapidly
developing condition affecting
motor, sensory and sphincter
function. It will mostly stabilize in
2-4 weeks and recovery is usually
complete.

Peripheral Nerve Damage

Peripheral nerve damage is
normally associated with diseases
like diabetes, herpes virus
infection, Guillain-Barre Syndrome

and surgical trauma to pelvic
plexus during radical surgery to
the pelvic organs. In obstructed
labor, minor damage can happen
to the innervation of the lower
urinary tract. This will normally
lead to atonic or hypoactive
function of the detrusor or
sphincter muscle. Fortunately,
damage to the pelvic plexus is
often transient and temporary
measures are strongly advised in
the initial period. The condition
will stabilize and function will
return spontaneously to the pelvic
plexus. Correction of the under
lying neurologic damage is almost
never possible.

Diverse

HIV

The true incidence of lower urinary
tract symptoms in the acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome is
not known. The whole spectrum
of dysfunctions can be present in
these patients but seems to be in
the more advanced stages of the
disease. Treatment principles are
the same as other neurological
conditions.

Fowler Syndrome

This syndrome presenting in young
women below 30 presenting
with acute retention and often

84

have polycystic ovarian disease.
A classical EMG finding of the
sphincter was described by
Fowler characterized by the
inability to relax the sphincter. It
is in the absence of demonstrable
neurologic disease and very
susceptible to neuromodulation
therapy.

patient might have the normal
anatomic abnormalities of the
urogynae patient and good pelvic
floor examination must be carried
out.

Knowledge of the dermatomes
and reflexes will help to localize
the lesion.

Clinical Evaluation

The evaluation of the neurologic
patient includes the normal
physical, biochemical and dynamic
testing that is important in all
patients with lower urinary tract
symptoms. The only difference
is that special attention must be
taken to include the state of the
upper tract and neuromuscular
evaluation. EMG measurements
will give a better understanding of
the exact lesion.

History and physical
examination

Thorough history and physical
examination is necessary with care
to evaluate perineal sensation,
sphincter tone and lower extremity
reflexes and sensation. Abdominal
examination will sometimes detect
a full bladder.

Remember that the neurogenic

Special investigations

Ultrasound of the bladder, urine
dipstick and serum creatinine is
indicated. If any abnormality is
picked up with these screening
tests, the necessary workup must
be done.

Urodynamic evaluation

Standard Urodynamic testing
gives information on bladder and
urethral function. To evaluate
co-ordination between bladder
contraction and urethral relaxation
cystometogram and EMG or
video urodynamics will give more
information.

In the neurogenic patients,
urodynamic studies are very
important to evaluate the precise
function of the lower urinary
tract. Urodynamic studies should
be performed in a specialized unit
where good studies will be done
as well as EMG measurements
of the pelvic floor if needed.

85

Video urodynamics or ultrasound
visualization of the bladder and
the bladder outlet might enhance
the information available on
normal urodynamic studies. In a
high-pressure bladder system with
detrusor pressures reaching more
than 40 cm of water, especially in
the presence of detrusor sphincter
dyssynergia, it might lead to
upper tract deterioration. The
physician must make sure that
proper knowledge of bladder
function as well as urethral and
pelvic floor activity is known after
a full urodynamic evaluation.
Specific attention should be given
to sensation of the bladder at the
time of urodynamic study to plan
further treatment. Urodynamic
evaluation must always try to
mimic the real life symptoms
during the study.

Specialized tests

1 . Ice water test might give
information on the difference
between reflex and areflexic
neurologic bladders, but is
controversial.

2. Betanecol super sensitivity
test might also give more
information on the difference
between neurologic or miogenic
a contractile bladders. The
current recommendation is that
it has to be used with care and

only as part of a full evaluation.

3. EMG of the sphincter. It is
recommended that EMG of the
urethral sphincter can be used
in the diagnosis of neurologic
bladder dysfunction. There is
not a good correlation between
anal sphincter activity and
urethral function.

4. The following tests are currently
still experimental and there is
no clear clinical proof that it will
add to the information on the
specific patient.

EMG of the detrusor muscle
Dynamic bulbocaverneus reflex
Nerve conduction studies
Somatosensory evoke potentials
Electro sensitivity of the low
urinary tract
Sympathetic skin response

More research is necessary before
these specific tests can prove to be
useful as a clinical tool.

Treatment

AIMS:

• Protect renal function, prevent
infection

• Restore continence

• Restore emptying

• Controlled collection of urine
if restoration of function not
possible

86

Planning of treatment is important
as the underlying disease and
the effect on the lower urinary
tract symptoms is almost never
stable and neither is the physical
condition of the patient. These
patients are therefore better
cared for in a team situation or
with close interaction with the
neurologist.

Underlying condition should be
stable.

E.g. - The spinal cord injury patient

needs to be over the shock phase.

The Parkinson patient, on effective

treatment.

The stroke patient rehabilitated

and stable, etc.

Mobility of the patient

The next component of decision
making is the mobility of the
patient. Both in their ability to
get to the toilet as well as good
hand function and mobility.
Treatment like timed voiding, self
intermittent catheterization and
catheter care might be impossible
for certain patients. In other cases
the patient might have access
to support like nurses, family or
institutions that can help with
care of basic body functions, the
decision making might differ
according to circumstances.

Kidney Function

It is very important for the
treating physician to remember
the effect of the lower urinary
tract symptoms on kidney function
before decisions on treatment
are made. Unstable bladder with
detrusor sphincter dyssynergia
(DSD) will lead to impairment of
kidney function. If augmentation
or diversion procedures are
considered, kidney function and
upper tract anatomy should be
evaluated. Absorption of urea
and electrolytes by the intestinal
interposition can cause metabolic
changes.

Conservative treatment

Conservative treatment entails
triggered reflex voiding, bladder
expression through crede or
valsalva maneuver, timed voiding
and fluid restriction. This
treatment is normally given for
supra-spinal lesions because of
balanced bladder function. In the
spinal lesions, diffuse neurologic
conditions and lower lesions it
must only be considered if the
bladder is a low-pressure system.
The reason is that there may
be D-S-D with a risk to kidney
function.

Conservative treatment must
always form part of the total

87

treatment of the patient, even
in cases where more invasive
treatment is indicated. It is
difficult in the neurologic patient
to completely restore normal
function, therefore measures like
timed voiding, fluid restriction and
effort to empty completely need
to be emphasized constantly. Pelvic
floor exercise are normally not
indicated in neurologic conditions
but might give some improvement
in patients with MS. Electric
stimulation or biofeedback have
the same limitations.

Catheters

Catheters are used to drain
the bladder in patients where
retention or incomplete voiding is
present. They can also be used in
incontinent patients, especially if
cognitive function is impaired.
Intermittent catheterization can
be used if the storage pressures
are low, the bladder has a good
capacity and there is good hand
control. Clean self-intermittent
catheterization is still the best
way to empty the bladder. It is
important to motivate the patient
to start doing it. Once they are
used to it the result is usually good.
The recommended frequency is
4-6 times per day with a bladder
capacity of not more than 400ml
and a 12-14-size catheter is used.

Indwelling catheters are inserted
either suprapubically or trans-
urethral^ for patients where
there is either a high-pressure
system or the possibility of self-
catheterization is not available,
or in cases where patients lose
mobility or cognitive function.
There are significantly more
risks with indwelling catheters
compared to CISC and Silicone
catheters should be used.
Catheters normally need changing
every 3 months but there are some
patients that might need more
frequent changing. Crystallization
and blocking are the biggest
problems

Recommendations On The Use
Of Catheters

Self clean intermittent
catheterization is superior to any
of the other techniques as long as
the bladder is not a high-pressure
system.

Indwelling catheters are safe
and sufficient for short-term
management of urinary retention.
The use of indwelling catheters
routinely for the management
of the neurologic bladder is not
recommended.

Complications of supra-pubic

88

catheters are similar to those of
urethral indwelling catheters.
Apart from insertion, that has a
higher risk, supra-pubic catheters
have the possibility of bowel
perforation and urethral catheters
cause urethral incompetence over
time.

Protective pads and diapers,
protective clothing or pads for the
incontinent patient is sometimes
the only way to protect the patient
from skin reactions and a bad
odour.

Pharmacotherapy

Pharmacotherapy is mainly used
for overactivity of the bladder.
There are practical options for
improving of bladder emptying.
Again, as with the previous
treatments, the detrusor function,
as well as the urethral function
have to be seen as separate
entities and a decision on which
pharmacotherapeutic agent
will work best in each specific
instance is important. Only broad
guidelines will be given on which
treatment modalities will work
better for a specific condition.

Drugs Available For Treatment
Of Neurologic Lower Urinary
Tract Overactivity:

Detrusor muscle relaxing drugs:

• Oxybutynin

• Darifenacin

• Solifenacin

• Tolterodine

• Properverine

• Trosium

• Propantholene

• Flavoxate

• Tri-cyclic anti-depressants

Discussion

Drugs to reduce over activity of
the bladder and increase the
storage function of the detrusor.
The mainstay of treatment in this
group are the anticholinenrgic
drugs. The newer anticholinergic
drugs as in Oxybytinin, Darifenacin,
Tolterodene and Solifenacin are
all available as a long acting
preparations. This gives better
long-term effects and less side
affects. The side effect profile of
the different medications is well
known as in central nervous system
effects, cardio vascular effects,
dry mouth and constipation.
There are specific advantages
and disadvantages of each of
the long acting anticholinergic
medications. It is important to
decide which ones will work
best in a specific case and it is
important to make sure the
patient complies with the intake of
the medication and that the long

89

term effect thereof is measured.
With proper care and information
the side effect profile is limited.
Oxybutynin is also available as
an intravesical installation as
well as a transdermal absorption
application. There is no clear
recommendation that any of these
drugs is superior in all cases of
detrusor over activity.

Drugs work on nerve function

• Valinoids eg. Capcacin and
Resinoferatoxin blocks sensory
nerves for afferent sensation to
the brain.

• Botulinum toxin

Vaniloids

The study showed that
Resinoferatoxin is a much more
potent sensory antagonist than
Capcacin and is superior in terms
of efficacy. In studies it has
been shown that the maximum
cystometric capacity increased
significantly but it did not change
detrusor pressure significantly. It
is currently recommended that
further randomized trials must
be done to determine the exact
place for this treatment modality.
It has been studied in neurogenic
bladders and compared to Botox
but shown to be less effective.

Botulinum toxin A

Botulinum toxin A is the most
potent biologic toxin known
toman. It binds the snap 33
docking protein in the nerve
terminal. Inhibiting acetylcholine
release from the nerve terminal
and thus preventing muscle
contraction. This can give clinical
improvement for six to nine
months in neurologic patients by
lowering detrusor contraction and
increasing bladder capacity.
Numerous studies have been
done which shows efficacy of
the Botulinum toxin, starting
within the first six days and
has an optimum effect after six
weeks. The individual response is
fairly specific for a patient. If the
effect lasts for six months the first
time, the follow up injection will
normally also last about that long.
The current use in neurologic
overactivity is 300 units as an intra-
vesical injection. Two Botulinum
type A toxins are available. Botox
is most widely used in current
studies. Botox is normally given
as a 10 unit per m/L in 30 different
sites of the bladder. It can be
given under general, regional
or local anaesthetic. No clear
randomized study has been done
to evaluate the specific treatment
strengths. Botulinum toxin can
also be used into the sphincter to
reduce the outflow resistance. The

90

dose used in the sphincter is 50 -
100 units. It was clearly shown to
reduce the post void residual.
The side effect profile is extremely
low and systemic complications
almost unheard of. Other form of
Botulinium A (Dysport) has been
studied but not as widely and is
also effective with other possible
side effects, and different dosage
regimens.

Drugs to enhance sphincter
function

• Alpha -adrenergic agonists

• Estrogens

• Beta-adronergic agonists

• Tri-cyclic anti-depressants

Several drugs including Alpha-
Adronergic agonists, Estrogens,
Beta-adrenergic agonists, as well
as Tricyclic anti-depressants have
been used to increase the bladder
outlet resistance. There is no
clear recommendation whether
these can be used for long-term
treatment of sphincter deficiency.
A noradrenaline serotonin re-
uptake inhibitor (duloxitene) has
been well studied and will increase
urethral resistance. The side effect
of this is nausea and it is also used
in the treatment of depression.

Drugs to facilitate bladder
emptying

• Alpha adrenergic blockers -
lowers urethral resistance e.g.
Tamsulosin, alfuzosin,

• Cholinergic - increases detrusor
contraction

Discussion

1. Alpha-Adrenergic blockers:
Alpha-adreno receptors
have been reported to be
predominantly present in the
bladder base and urethra.
Alpha-blockers can therefore be
used to lower the resistance of
the bladder neck and urethra.
They have been proven to lower
the detrusor leak point pressure
in children.

2. Cholinergic: In general Betanecol
chloride seems to be of limited
benefit of detrusor areflexia
and for elevated residual urine.
These drugs should not be used
in the presence of detrusor
sphincter dyssynergia.

Invasive treatment

Neuromodulation and electrical
stimulation

Sacral nerve neuro modulation
has been well proven to treat the
refractory overactive bladder as
well as the imbalance in pelvic
floor stimulation. It is essential
that there be normal neural
connections for this modality

91

to be effective. The efficacy of
the sacral neuromodulation also
includes afferent stimulation and
therefore intact neuropathways
are necessary. It does not work
in the spinal cord injury or
spina bifida patients. The sacral
neuromodulation is an electrode
placed usually at S3 foramina and
left in as a temporary stimulation
for 2 to 3 weeks. If there is a more
that 50% improvement in their
symptoms, a permanent generator
is implanted on the lateral aspect
of the buttock. This can be set
with an external programmer. The
placement of the electrode can
be done in different positions,
periurethrally or next to the
pudendal nerve. Sacral root
stimulation is currently the most
extensively documented.

Electrical Stimulation

Sacral anterior root stimulation.
This is not a technique that
will normally be done at the
urogynaecology clinic but is more
for specialized spinal units. It is
only performed on spinal patients
where a posterior rhizotomy has
been done. This is an exciting
development but not for discussion
at this level.

Augmentation procedures

Detrusor Myectomy: (auto-
augmentation)

This will produce a diverticulum in
the dome of the bladder if ±20%
of detrussor muscle is removed.
The urothelium is left intact. It is
mostly done as an extraperitoneal
procedure. Laparoscopic
techniques are also described.

Enterocyctoplasty

It is the best reproducible
operation to enlarge bladder
capacity and increase storage
function of the bladder especially
in the small fibrotic bladders.
Complications include infection,
mucus production and incomplete
bladder emptying. Absorption
through bowel might lead to
metabolic acidosis. Kidney
function evaluation is very
important before the procedure is
considered. Ileum clam cystoplasty
is done most often. The
urotheluim can be left intact and
the bowel muscle used to cover
it. This will decrease the mucus
production, and absorption.

Bladder replacement

New bladder can be preformed for
patients with severely contracted
and damaged bladders. Small
or large bowel can be used and
a good storage pouch will be
formed. The pouch is connected

92

to the sphincter. The majority of
these patients will have to self-
catheterize.

catheterization can also be used
with the sphincter if she has
voiding dysfunction.

Procedures to enhance outflow
resistance

Bulking agents can be used to
increase passive urethral closing
pressure. The result of bulking
agents is ± 60% in improving the
incontinence.

Mid-urethral slings

Mid- urethral slings are classically
used for stress urinary incontinence
(SUI). They are also very effective
in the neurologic patient with SUI.

Mid urethral slings can also be
used to obstruct the urethra in
patients with a hypotonic urethra.
It is better to use retropubic mid-
urethral slings for obstructive
procedures than trans-obturator
routes or mini slings. The patient
then has to self catheterized if
the outflow is obstructed and the
storage function of the bladder is
normal.

Diversions

Continent urinary diversions: if

the normal urinary tract cannot
be used for storage and emptying
function, a continence pouch can
be formed, through which the
patient will self-catheterize. The
technique is fairly difficult and the
complication rate in the long term
is relatively high. These include
infections, stone formation,
mucus production, strictures of
the stoma or ureter and metabolic
disturbances. Small or large
intestine can be used for the pouch
and a number of valve mechanism
can be formed

Conduit diversion: an incontinent
diversion can be made with ileum
and anastomosis of the ureter to
a short piece of ileum. The classic
Bricker Ileostomy is still used for
patients where no restoration of
normal urinary tract can be done.

Artificial sphincter

The artificial sphincter (AMS800)
can be used to close the bladder
outlet. It is opened using a special
valve system and the patient can
void spontaneously if she has
normal detrusor function. Self-

Bladder disconnection

In cases where there is a damaged
bladder with a hypoactive or
dilated urethra and incontinence,
a bladder disconnection should
be considered, especially if the
patient's mobility or hand function

93

is not good. The urethra can be
closed and a permanent supra
pubic catheter placed. The
urethral disconnection can be done
as a vaginal procedure under local
anaesthetic.

94

Chapter 12

Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Dick Barnes

Incidence

Clinical Features

This is a rare condition occurring
mainly in middle-aged women
with a female to male ratio of
10:1.

Etiology

There are many theories regarding
the etiology of interstitial
cystitis but a deficiency of
glycosaminoglycans (GAGS) in the
urothelium is best documented.
GAGs are the polysaccharide
macromolecules which cover the
urothelium of bladder, preventing
noxious substances in urine
(such as potassium) penetrating
urothelium and the bladder wall.
GAG deficiency leads to urine
penetrating the bladder wall,
release of neuropeptides resulting
in pain.

Pain

• very debilitating

• suprapubic pain

• worse with a full bladder

• improved after voiding (doesn't
disappear)

• may also have perineal pain and
dysuria

Irritative Voiding Symptoms

• severe frequency (day and night)

• severe cases may void half-
hourly

Urine

• may have a sterile pyuria

Diagnosis

Usually confirmed on cystoscopy

(under general or regional

anaesthesia):

Petechial bleeding is seen from

the bladder wall (particularly after

second filling of the bladder with

95

irrigation fluid). There is usually
a small bladder capacity and
rarely an area of ulceration of the
bladder wall (Hunner's ulcer)

Differential Diagnosis

IC is a diagnosis of exclusion

allergic response and hence
an antihistamine may prove
beneficial.

It is recommended that above
three agents are used together to
maximise effect.

1 . Cystitis - urine dipstick and
culture

2. TB - urine for AFBs and TB
culture

3. Bladder carcinoma (particularly
CIS) - urine cytology

4. Bladder stone - U/S and
cystoscopy

5. Pelvic infection

6. Endometriosis
Intravesical Potassium Test

If instillation of a solution with
high potassium concentration
reproduces the patient's pain this is
diagnositic of IC.

Treatment

• Anticholinergics: Usually
ineffective in this condition

Intravesical Treatment

• Dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)

• Heparin based solutions

Surgery

• Bladder hydrodistention:
Bladder distention under
anaesthesia often gives good
temporary symptomatic relief
and can be repeated.

• Surgery: Only in highly selected
cases and includes cystoplasty
to increase bladder capacity
and occasionally cystectomy and
urinary diversion.

Medical Treatment

• Sodium Pentosan Polysulphate
(Tavan SP): This is a synthetic
form of GAG that replenishes
the deficient GAG layer

• Amitryptiline: Useful for pain
control

• Hydroxyzine (Aterax):
(Antihistamine) Some cases
of IC are associated with an

96

Chapter 13

Introduction to Pelvic Organ
Prolapse

Peter de Jong

Introduction

Despite prolapse being a concept
readily grasped by generations
of medical students, a basic
understanding of the concept has
changed recently. This chapter
will highlight some of the new
developments in pelvic organ
prolapse (POP), and examine
modern surgical interventions with
evidence supporting their use.

How Common Is
Prolapse?

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a
distressingly common condition
and 1 1 % of women have a lifetime
risk of surgery for this condition.
Despite this, its aetiology is
poorly understood, and the
natural course of prolapse is
grasped more in the anecdotal
than scientific arena. With an

aging population, reconstructive
surgery for the management of
pelvic organ prolapse (POP) will
command increasing resources.
Surgery is required to correct
symptoms of POP, restore the
anatomy, retain bowel, bladder
and sexual competence, and be
durable. We intuitively perceive
that prolapse is the result of aging,
vaginal parity, chronic elevation
of intra - abdominal pressure and
hysterectomy. Following novel
anatomical insights occasioned by
the cadaver dissections of Delancey
and Richardson before him, a
new description of prolapse and
classification of the staging has
emerged.

We have hitherto considered
pelvic organ prolapse as consisting
of a cystocoele (prolapse of the
bladder), uterine or vault prolapse
(depending on whether or not the
uterus is present), or a rectocoele
(prolapse of the rectum). Whilst

97

we suppose that the cystocoele
contains the bladder, a vault
prolapse consists of the apex of the
vagina and a rectocoele contains
part of the rectum, this is not
always the case.

New Definitions

Pelvic Organ Prolapse(POP) is the
descent of one or more of anterior
vaginal wall, posterior vaginal
wall, and apex of the vagina
(cervix / uterus) or vault (cuff) after
hysterectomy.

Anterior vaginal wall prolapse
(previously termed a "cystocoele")
is descent of the anterior vagina
so the urethra - vesical junction (a
point 3cm proximal to the external
urinary meatus) or any anterior
point proximal to this, is less than
3cm above the plane of the hymen.

Prolapse of the apical segment
of the vagina (previously termed
"vault prolapse") is any descent
of the vaginal cuff scar (after
hysterectomy) or cervix, below a
point which is 2cm less than the
total vaginal length above the
plane of the hymen.

Posterior vaginal wall prolapse
(previously known as a

"rectocoele") is any descent of
the posterior vaginal wall so that
a midline point on the posterior
vaginal wall 3cm above the level of
the hymen or any posterior point
proximal to this is, less than 3cm
above the plane of the hymen.

Is Prolapse "Normal"?

Clearly some degree of prolapse
is the norm, especially in a parous
population. Women with prolapse
beyond the hymenal ring have a
significantly increased likelihood
of having symptoms. In a general
population of women between
20 - 59, the prevalence of prolapse
was 31 %, whereas only 2% of all
women had prolapse that reached
the introitus. Some estimations
suggest that a degree of prolapse
is found in 50% of parous women,
and up to 20% of these cases are
symptomatic. An estimated 5% of
all hysterectomies result in vaginal
prolapse.

Apical prolapse is a delayed
complication of hysterectomy, and
follows vaginal and abdominal
hysterectomy in equal numbers:
it's occurrence may be the result
of damage to the upper vaginal
supports occurring at the time of
surgery.

98

Urinary Incontinence
And Prolapse

Urinary incontinence and POP
are separate clinical entities
that may or may not coexist.
Significant protrusion of the
vagina may obstruct voiding
and defecation. Surgical repair
of one pelvic support defect
without repair of concurrent
asymptomatic pelvic support
defects appears to predispose
to accentuation of unrepaired
defects and new symptoms.
Women with POP may have to
digitally reduce their prolapse
in order to void or defecate.
Although pelvic anatomy can now
easily be measured accurately
and reliably, the relationship of
these anatomic findings with
functional abnormalities is
not well understood. Support
abnormalities of the anterior
vaginal wall are common in
vaginally parous women; but stress
incontinence is not consistently
associated with this finding. Distal
posterior vaginal wall support
abnormalities may exist with or
without defecation abnormalities.
The relationship between anatomy
and function is one of the most
pressing research priorities in the
domain of physical examination of
women with POP.

When To Operate?

Prolapse is not always progressive,
and will not necessarily worsen
with the time. Thus it may be an
over simplification to suggest
surgery to avoid an operation "at a
later stage".

POP symptoms are vague and
correlate poorly with the site and
severity of prolapse. They include:

• Pelvic pressure

• Vaginal heaviness

• Irritative bladder symptoms

• Voiding difficulty

• Urinary incontinence

• Defecatory difficulty

• Back - ache

• Coital problems

Back - ache and pelvic pain
may or may not be associated
with POP. The level of evidence
to support the notion that
surgery consistently alleviates
these symptoms is poor. When
physiotherapy fails to alleviate
symptoms of POP, or vaginal
pessaries are unsuccessful or
complicated by ulceration,
then surgical POP repair may
be indicated in symptomatic
individuals. Up to 30% of
operations for prolapse fail.
It is probably unrealistic to

99

use weakened native tissue to
restore fascial defects. Ligaments
and tissues are attenuated by
age and childbirth, and further
traumatised by the dissection and
de - vascularisation of prolapse
repair. Healing by fibrosis is
unpredictable, and the further
insults of age, obesity and estrogen
deprivation makes the temptation
to succumb to prosthetic repair
seem attractive.

Route Of Surgery

There are hundreds of operations
described for the correction of
POP, with either an abdominal or a
vaginal approach. Most textbooks
suggest that prolapse surgeons
be adept at both abdominal and
vaginal procedures, but in reality
the majority of POP surgery is
performed via the vaginal route.
However there are no good data
on which to base the decision as
to route of surgery. Reviewing
prolapse literature is difficult
because of the heterogeneous
nature of the condition, variability
in inclusion and exclusion criteria,
the variety of procedures, non
- standardized definitions of
outcomes, lack of independent
reviews and short term follow -
up.

In general terms, there is
good level 1 evidence that the
abdominal approach is more
robust, effective and durable
for correcting the anatomy and
preserving vaginal and lower
urinary tract function. The
vaginal route has fewer serious
perioperative complications.
Maher demonstrated that vaginal
sacrospinous colpopexy was
faster and cheaper with quicker
return to normal activities, but
has a significantly higher risk
of recurrent anterior or apical
prolapse than abdominal surgery
using a mesh or sacral colpopexy
technique. The vaginal approach
is commonly preferred for the
obese, chronic strainer who smokes
and suffers obstructive pulmonary
disease.

Prolapse And
Concomitant
Hysterectomy

Although hysterectomy is
frequently a bedfellow of POP
repair, there is no evidence that
it improves prolapse surgery
outcomes. In three studies it
appeared that uterine preservation
or removal did not affect the
risk of POP recurrence. Some

100

authorities feel that hysterectomy
is a major contributor to the
occurrence of POP, and is part
of the problem rather than the
solution. Theoretically at least,
cervical conservation at abdominal
hysterectomy should maintain
apical support and prevent vault
prolapse. Randomized trials will be
needed to asses whether cervical
conservation prevents vault
prolapse in the long term.

Procedures For
Prolapse

Apical (Vault) Prolapse
Procedures

A well supported vaginal apex is
the cornerstone of pelvic organ
support, and recognition of apical
defects is critical prior to prolapse
correction.

Apical Support Procedures With
The Uterus Present

Establishment of vaginal support at
the time of vaginal hysterectomy
is recommended and may be
achieved by a "prophylactic"
attachment of the vaginal cuff to
the uterosacral or sacrospinous
ligaments (level 4 evidence).

When women with a uterus have
apical vaginal prolapse and wish

to conserve the uterus, options are
restricted and evidence to support
specific procedures is very limited.

Recently a number of novel
techniques have been described
involving Type 1 Prolene mesh
placement vaginally, with fixation
through the obturator foramen
and sacrospinous ligament.
(ProliftR: Johnson & Johnson
Womens Health Urology, PerigeeR,
ApogeeR, American Medical
Systems). There is no specific
need for vaginal hysterectomy
when these mesh kits are used.
Lateral prolene straps pass
through ligamentous structures to
provide support for central mesh
hammocks placed without tension
vaginally. The mesh systems are
safe and minimally invasive but
at present long term data are not
available. Efficacy in the short
term appears to be promising
with few side - effects being
encountered, but review of larger
studies is desirable. Although these
procedures using propriety kits
are easily mastered by proficient
prolapse surgeons, proper
training and expert instruction is
mandatory.

If the surgeon does not wish to use
a propriety mesh kit, there are a
few reports of uterine preservation

101

with apical support procedures,
being small retrospective case
series involving fewer than 50
cases with short follow - up and
poorly defined outcomes. (Level 3
evidence)

Vaginal obliterative procedures
(colpocleisis) have a role to play in
stage III - IV POP in cases where
women no longer wish to preserve
coital function, and surgery is
balanced by a positive impact
on daily activities. The vagina is
obliterated, the enterocoele is not
addressed and the uterus is left
in - situ unless there is separate
pathology. The procedures are
gentle with a speedy return to
normal activity, with good success
rates described (level 3 evidence).
The distal anterior vaginal wall
should be spared and not drawn
into the operation, to reduce the
risk of stress urinary incontinence.

Apical Support
Procedures Post
Hysterectomy

Transabdominal procedures

Sacrocolpopexy is durable with
level 1 evidence supporting its use,
and several workers have reported
that concomitant hysterectomy

is safe without any increase in
surgical risks. Mesh erosions
range from 3% to 40%. There is
at present no data to clarify the
use of routine culdoplasty with
the procedure, and there are no
standardized outcome measures to
assess sacrocolpopexy success.

Level 1 evidence suggests an apical
prolapse cure in 85% - 90% of
cases, but quality of life data in
these cases is very limited. Surgery
may result in a dysfunctional
vagina with dyspareunia, and
so anatomical support does not
necessarily equate to patient
satisfaction. The risk of prolapse
at other sites subsequently has not
been sufficiently studied.

Abdominal sacrocolpopexy may
also be approached by means
of the laparoscopic route, but
vast experience and patience is
required to achieve good results
within reasonable time frames.
At present little published data
evaluates laparoscopic vault
support procedures.

In this country, Cronje
has performed perineo -
colposacrosuspension (PCSS) in
many hundreds of cases, when
women have stage 3 or stage 4
prolapse, or stage 2 symptomatic

102

prolapse - particularly with
obstructive defecation (sometimes
combined with a STARR
procedure). This comprehensive
repair represents major surgery,
and is beyond the scope of the
"generalist" gynaecologist. The
recurrent prolapse rate is 10%,
with a 5% occurrence of de - novo
dyspareunia.

Vaginal Suspensory
Procedures

The sacrospinous ligament
suspension

Sacrospinous ligament suspension
(SSLS) or fixation is popular,
allowing simultaneous repair of
anterior or posterior vaginal wall
defects with less postoperative
bowel dysfunction. Infrequent
complications include buttock pain
or a sacral / pudendal nerve injury.
The recurrence of a high cystocoele
is around 22% and may be a
problem. Randomized trials favour
the robust abdominal approach
of the sacrocolpopexy, with the
reservations mentioned previously.

High uterosacral ligament
suspension (HUSLS) was first
reported in 1997, and suspends
the vaginal apex to the remnants
of the uterosacral ligaments at

the level of the ischial spines, and
maintains the vaginal apex in the
midline. However ureteric injury
occurs in up to 1 1 % of cases, with
post - op bowel dysfunction due
to recto - sigmoid narrowing. But
it optimizes vaginal length and
provides good vaginal support.
This procedure has the same
principle of action as the Mayo or
McCall culdoplasty, although no
comparative data exist.

Anterior Prolapse
Procedures

The surgical management of
anterior vaginal prolapse is
controversial with limited and
often conflicting data available.
The traditional vaginal repair for
cystocoeles was first described by
Kelly in 1913, and in controlled
trials has a 57% chance of curing
cystocoeles. An abdominal
approach is also feasible with the
abdominal paravaginal repair
having a success rate of up to 97%.
But the abdominal approach may
carry significant complications
- including ureteric obstruction,
bleeding, haematomas and abscess
formation.

No randomized control studies
have evaluated and compared

103

the abdominal, laparoscopic
or vaginal route of repair in
isolation. Goldberg and co -
workers demonstrated in a case
control study in women with
anterior prolapse and stress
incontinence, that the addition
of a pubovaginal sling to the
anterior colporrhaphy significantly
reduced the recurrence of a
anterior prolapse from 42% in
the control group to 19% in the
anterior repair and sling group.
Which begs the question - does
the addition of type 1 soft mesh
to a vaginal repair make the
procedure more robust, with an
acceptable complication rate? It
has already been established that
the type 1 large pore prolene mesh
is extra - ordinarily well tolerated
in the vagina with very few long
term complications. Workers have
proposed that a tension - free
mesh buttress may serve as a
scaffold for collagen ingrowth and
so reduce the incidence of repair
failure.

The ProliftR and PerigeeR systems
have been developed for this
purpose and allow minimally
invasive vaginal techniques
anchoring a mesh hammock in
situ by means of mesh extensions
emerging through the obturator
foramen. These novel procedures

have no long - term follow up
data in the published literature at
present, and the results of studies
are awaited with interest. The
use of mesh would be particularly
useful where conventional
techniques have already failed, in
large defects or in individuals with
obstructive pulmonary disease
or other predisposing causes of
prolapse.

The surgeon should bear in
mind that a certain percentage
of women develop stress
incontinence following anterior
repair procedures. About 15% -
20% may need urinary continence
procedures, and all patients having
anterior repairs must be councelled
to this effect.

Posterior Prolapse
Procedures

Nowdays several approaches are
feasible for the repair of posterior
wall prolapse.

The Abdominal Route

The abdominal approach is well
described, and involves placement
of a mesh buttress anterior to
the rectum behind the posterior
vaginal wall fascia, commonly
as part of a sacrocolpopexy

104

procedure. However a significant
number of failures are still
reported, with 10% of women
needing surgery for complications
specific to the surgery. The
laparoscopic approach to the
posterior prolapse requires further
evaluation.

The Vaginal Route

Variations abound in transvaginal
techniques. The traditional Jeffcoat
levator ani plication produced
an acceptable anatomical result,
but 50% of patients described
significant dyspareunia.
Continuous midline plication of the
rectovaginal fascia recognized the
problems of the levator plication
and was an advance on this
earlier technique. More recently
Richardson attributed rectocoeles
to breaks in the rectovaginal
fascia, and advocated the isolated
repair of the focal defects.
Discrete fascial repair offers
good anatomical outcome with
acceptable sexual function, but
midline fascial plication is superior
in correcting obstructed defecation
in 80% of cases. Site - specific
repair is less robust and durable
than midline fascial plication,
with less entrapment of faeces
on straining (grade A evidence).
The recent introduction of mesh
kits for prolapse of the posterior

vaginal wall has been alluded to,
and these prolene mesh hammocks
with supporting straps which pass
through the sacrospinous ligament
are being evaluated.

The Transanal Route

A number of papers have
appeared describing a novel
procedure to deal with posterior
compartment prolapse and
obstructed defecation. The
STARR procedure, or "stapled
transanal rectal resection for outlet
obstruction", employs a double -
stapled circumferential resection
of the lower rectum together
with any associated rectocoele,
intusseception or mucosal
prolapse. The procedure is popular
in continental Europe, and uses
two ProximateR PPH -01 stapling
guns (Ethicon Endosurgery, Ohio,
USA). However evidence to support
its widespread implementation
is tenuous at this stage. On the
basis of two randomized trials,8
with 3 series of transanal stapled
resections published to date, it
seems that this novel procedure
is of potential benefit but
needs careful evidence - based
evaluation. Level 1 evidence
demonstrates that the vaginal
approach to rectocoele repair is
superior to the transanal method.

105

Prosthetic Materials
And Surgery

There are insufficient data at
present to draw any evidence -
based conclusions with regard to
the role of prosthetic materials
in prolapse surgery. Part of the
problem arises from the paucity
of baseline data regarding the
efficacy of "traditional" anterior
and posterior vaginal repairs. As a
result of this the efficacy of adding
prosthetic material for primary
or recurrent prolapse affecting
these compartments is difficult
to assess. While adding synthetic
type 1 mesh grafts suggests a
theoretical advantage, this must
be balanced against increased cost
and potential morbidity.

There is also a need for further
long -term prospective studies,
ideally in the form of randomized
controlled trials as well as from
structured personal series audits,
in order to determine the long
-term efficacy and potential
morbidity associated with the use
of prosthetic materials in primary
or recurrent prolapse repair.
Standardized criteria for staging
POP, adequate follow - up and
assessment of effects of surgery on
bladder, bowel and sexual function
are required to determine whether

or not the use of these grafts
confers advantage over standard
prolapse repair, and in which
category of patient they should be
employed.

This will allow appropriate
selection of both the type of
prosthesis and the optimal surgical
approach in women requiring
reconstructive pelvic floor surgery.
However, synthetic prostheses will
not compensate for poor surgical
techniques or a poorly conceived
procedure. A host of "copy - cat"
prostheses are available on the
market, riding the wave of more
established mainstream product
usage. A prudent surgeon will
evaluate published data on specific
products before using "me - too"
operations.

Conclusions

New insights classification systems
have modified previously held
beliefs in the field of pelvic
organ prolapse. POP is a vast
and amorphous field of surgery.
Different causes of prolapse and
a host of confounding variables
makes one approach and any one
standard procedure unscientific.
The "one - operation fits all"
methods of the past must be

106

eschewed, and a more thoughtful
and evidence - based approach
cultivated. If necessary, specialist
knowledge and expertise may
need to be consulted in an
approach to difficult cases of POP.

107

Chapter 14

Pathoaetiology of Prolapse and
Incontinence

Paul Swart and Etienne Henn

Prolapse and Incontinence
are the result of physiological
and anatomical failure. The
mechanisms involved are complex
with multiple factors playing a
role. Because this is such a diverse
field, these aspects are addressed
by two authors in this chapter.

Parti

Paul Swart

The Aetiology of Prolapse

The aetiology of pelvic organ
prolapse (POP) and stress urinary
incontinence (SUI) are inseparable.
These two conditions are different
sides of the same coin and share
common aetiological variables.
Detrusor overactivity and urinary
urgency, dry or wet, may co-exist in
women with SUI and POP, but is a
separate condition with different
aetiological factors beyond the
scope of this discussion.
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is

not caused by a single event or
deficiency, but is the culmination
of an interplay between complex
multifactorial aetiologies which
vary between women. It would
not be wise to reduce the end
result to a specific event and the
best science can offer us, until we
have greater understanding of
these complex interactions, is to
analyze different risk factors in
a population and assign relative
risks or odds ratios. It is difficult
to counsel women regarding the
ideal mode of delivery using the
currently available evidence.

Risk factors for POP can be
classified into predisposing,
inciting, promoting or
decompensating. Predisposing
factors include congenital
anomalies, race, gender and
hereditary defects such as Marfan's
syndrome. Inciting factors include
pregnancy and vaginal delivery,
surgical procedures and certain

108

myopathies and neuropathies.
Factors outside the pelvis that
could elicit POP, include obesity,
smoking, pulmonary disease
that leads to chronic coughing
and lifestyle variables including
repetitive heavy lifting during
occupational duties or during
recreational activities. These would
be considered to be promoting
causes. Decompensatory
mechanisms include aging,
menopause, neuropathy,
myopathy, debilitating diseases
and medication such as cortisone.
A combination of factors each
influence the development of
this disease to a greater or lesser
degree. Overall, the risk factors
most strongly associated with
prolapse include advanced age,
high gravidity and parity, number
of vaginal deliveries and previous
hysterectomy.

Pregnancy

Although increasing parity is a
risk factor for prolapse, nulliparity
does not provide absolute
protection. In the Women's Health
Initiative (WHI) study nearly 20%
of nulliparous women had some
degree of POP. There is, however,
no doubt that both pregnancy
and the delivery of a baby play
a role in the aetiology of POP
and SUI. Francis et al found that

40% of primigravid women had
some SUI before falling pregnant,
which always worsened during
the pregnancy, improved after the
pregnancy and recurred with later
pregnancies. This would eventually
become a problem even when they
were not pregnant. The hormonal
changes associated with pregnancy
have an effect on the elasticity and
distension of the pelvic contents
by their effect on the muscle
and collagen content as well as
the changes in circulation of the
pelvic floor. In addition there
is the added stress of increased
intra-abdominal pressures and
distension by the fetal presenting
part.

There are three mechanisms
whereby labour influences the
integrity of the pelvic floor and
the continence mechanisms. Firstly,
mechanical distension and tearing
of muscle and connective tissue
invariably occur. Secondly, vascular
compression with the potential
for hypoxic damage to the same
structures as well as the urinary
tract, and subsequent replacement
of active tissue by scar formation,
has also been shown to occur. The
third mechanism is compression,
stretching or hypoxic damage to
nerve structures including both
motor and sensory. EMG studies

109

and pudendal nerve terminal
motor latency (PNTML) studies
have demonstrated defects
after vaginal deliveries which
are not apparent following
elective caesarean section. Strong
associations are described for
long labours, macrosomic babies,
forceps deliveries, 3rd degree
tears and multiparity. There are
numerous studies that confirm
these findings.

Among premenopausal women,
those who have delivered at least
one baby, have a higher prevalence
of both SUI and urgency than
nulliparous women. In contrast,
among postmenopausal women,
pregnancy and childbirth seem
to have a smaller impact on SUI.
Older nulliparous females have
been shown in some studies to
have the same prevalence of SUI
as parous women. Co-morbidities,
particularly aging, outweigh the
effect of previous pregnancies
in these women. Goldberg and
Abramov report interesting
findings after looking at pelvic
floor dysfunction in a group of
identical twin sisters, with a mean
age of 47 years (range 18 and
85 years). The sibling who had
at least two vaginal births was
three times more likely to report
faecal incontinence and four

times more likely to report urinary
incontinence than her nulliparous
twin sister. IntheWHI study,
it was concluded that a woman
having a history of at least one
delivery had double the risk of POP
when compared to nulliparous
controls.

(i) Myogenic damage:

We have histological confirmation
and radiological evidence,
using ultrasound and MRI,
demonstrating that the mechanical
trauma of delivery leads to rupture
of the pelvic muscles. Imaging
studies have also shown an inverse
correlation between prolapse and
the total volume of levator muscle
and muscle strength.

(ii) Neuromuscular damage:

The mechanism of neurological
damage during labour is unknown,
but pudendal nerve compression
certainly plays a significant role.
Snooks et al have shown that after
vaginal delivery there is prolonged
PNTML and this correlates with
greater perineal descent during
straining. Forceps deliveries
appear to make the greatest
impact on PNTML whereas subjects
having an elective caesarean
section were no different from
nulliparous controls. Most women
will recover as innervation is re-

110

established but in some women
it never returns to normal.
Viktrup et al, in a study on the
risk of incontinence after delivery,
report that most patients who
are incontinent after the birth
of their babies improve but are
at a greater risk of developing
incontinence a few years later. Of
the women who had SUI three
months after the delivery, the
majority of whom were dry 1 year
later, 92% became incontinent 5
years later. Sultan et al have also
shown that a caesarean section
performed after the onset of
labour is less protective than an
elective section. In the Term Breech
trial, 4.5% of patients who had a
caesarean section were incontinent
after 3 months compared to 7.3%
of the women that delivered
vaginally with a relative risk (RR) of
0.62 and a confidence interval of
0.41 to 0.93.

Data from the EPINCONT study,
suggest that after one baby, the
RR for SUI becomes 2.4 in women
aged 20-34 years but only 1 .8
when they are between 35 and 64
years of age. In both age groups,
however, the associations are
statistically significant. Once the
patients were over 65 years of age,
there was no significant association
between delivery and the risk of

SUI. There was, however, the same
trend with a larger RR for a parity
of two or more.

(iii) Damage to the endopelvic
fascia:

During labour, tears develop in
the connective tissue. This might
not be immediately apparent
but with continuous trauma and
aging it plays an important role
in the development of prolapse.
It would appear that some
women have a more vulnerable
collagen. Studies have shown
that there is a decreased collagen
content in nulliparous women
with SUI. There is also an increase
in the concentration of weak
cross-linked collagen in women
with prolapse compared to the
strong cross-linked collagen in
women without prolapse. These
differences are quantitative as well
as qualitative on histo-chemical
level. Furthermore, there is an
increase in the metalloprotease
enzyme activity in patients with
prolapse suggesting an increase
in the breakdown of collagen of
these patients.

There is thus no question that
pregnancy and the mode of
delivery influences subsequent
prolapse and SUI. However, most
women have pregnancies and

111

deliveries without residual long-
term POP or SUI. The scientific
challenge is therefore to identify
a subgroup of women who are
vulnerable to the consequences
of pregnancy and to offer
appropriate counselling and
possible intervention. Currently
the only available intervention is
caesarean section but the influence
of this on subsequent pregnancies
has to be accepted.

Epidural analgesia is possibly
associated with subsequent POP or
SUI. It may indeed increase the use
of forceps in some institutions and
this in turn might have deleterious
effects on the pelvic floor but it
seems unlikely that the epidural
block per se has any deleterious
role.

The use of episiotomy to prevent
pelvic floor damage has no
support in the literature. There
is no evidence that first or second
degree tears are associated with
later POP. Third degree tears do
appear to be associated with
subsequent POP and SUI. In some
studies, episiotomies contributed
to third and fourth degree tears.

Aging

Virtually all studies that address
the relationship between aging

and POP find a positive association.
There is however controversy as to
the role of the menopause.

Constipation

There certainly appears to be
an association between POP
and constipation. Posterior
compartment prolapse can lead
to difficult rectal emptying, due
to herniation of the rectocele
into the vagina. It has been
shown that chronic constipation
with repetitive straining leads
not only to pelvic floor muscular
damage, but also to neuropathy.
Constipation appears to be
significantly more common in
women developing POP.

Occupational Stresses

There are studies from Italy and
the USA reporting a correlation
between a patient's income
and the prevalence of POP. The
lower the income, the higher the
prevalence of POP. The authors
postulated that this was probably
due to harder manual labour.
Nursing has also been shown to
be a risk factor. A study looking
at 28,000 Danish nurses found an
odds ratio of 1.6 for developing
POP or a herniated lumbar disc
compared to same-aged controls.

112

Obesity

Obesity increases the intra-
abdominal pressure significantly
and chronically. Most studies
have found a positive correlation
between obesity and POP as well
as a greater risk for surgical failure
in the obese.

Hysterectomy

According to the Oxford Family
Planning Study, the incidence
of POP is higher in women who
undergo a hysterectomy for
reasons other than prolapse. If
a woman undergoes surgery for
POP the subsequent risk appears
to be even higher. It is uncertain
whether a sub-total hysterectomy
carries the same risk.

Previous Prolapse Surgery

There is little doubt that certain
surgical procedures predispose
patients to prolapse in other
compartments. Two examples
include an increase in posterior
compartment prolapse after a
Burch colposuspension and a
greater number of cystocoeles
after sacrospinous ligament
fixation. There are also reports
of prolapse of the vaginal vault
after transection of the uterosacral
ligaments for chronic pelvic pain.

Collagen Synthesis
Abnormalities

As already stated above there
are qualitative and quantitative
differences in the connective
tissue of women with and without
POP. These would also include
differences in the muscle actin,
myosin and extra-cellular matrix
proteins.

Variations In Skeletal Anatomy

Increases in thoracic kyphosis and
decreases in lumbar lordosis both
increase the risk for POP. The same
is true for a wider transverse pelvic
inlet.

Race

It would seem that POP is more
common in women from European
descent than African women but
older publications show bigger
differences than more recent
publications. Access to health
care facilities might play a role
but quantitative and qualitative
histochemical differences in
collagen and muscle tissue are
awaited.

113

Part 2

Etienne Henn

Pelvic floor damage due to

childbirth

Pelvic floor disorders (PFD)
include urinary incontinence
(Ul), anal incontinence (Al), and
pelvic organ prolapse (POP). It
has been shown on numerous
occasions, that one of the main
causes of female pelvic floor
dysfunction is vaginal childbirth.
The consequences can be short
term or lifelong. The potential
space in the female pelvis is limited
and has been shown, in relative
terms, to have decreased over
time. Human evolution theory,
postulates that the fetal head
has enlarged significantly over
time, and thus a larger fetal head
has to pass through the female
pelvis at childbirth. About 1.5
million years ago. Homo erectus
had a cranial capacity of 900 cm3
while Homo sapiens now has a
cranial capacity of approximately
1800 cm3. It is therefore not
surprising that the structures of
the pelvic floor are damaged due
to pregnancy as well as childbirth.
Some studies have shown that one
in two parous white women will
suffer pelvic floor dysfunction, to
varying degrees, due to vaginal
childbirth. Of these women, up to
60% of will undergo surgery. It is

important to note that although
vaginal birth is the most important
etiological factor in pelvic
floor dysfunction, other factors
contribute including advancing
age, vascular disease, spinal cord
injury, primary bowel disease,
molecular and genetic factors.
This chapter shall focus on the
impact of childbirth and delivery
factors on the development of
pelvic floor dysfunction. We shall
divide the available evidence into
different compartments to enable
a thorough overview of this impact
on the pelvic floor.

Trauma to the nervous system

Neuromuscular function of the
pelvic floor is dependent on the
integrity of the nervous system.
Pelvic floor peripheral nerves,
such as the nerves to the levator
ani, and the pudendal nerves are
at greatest risk of injury during
pregnancy and childbirth. The
pudendal nerve is particularly
prone to damage where it curves
around the ischial spine and
enters the pudendal canal. Ample
evidence links neurologic injury
with PFD. Prolonged pudendal
nerve motor latency (PNML) has
been reported after delivery
in 42% of women delivering
vaginally, but not in those women
delivered by planned caesarean

114

section. PNTML returned to normal
in 60% of these women at two
months postpartum. Another
study found evidence of pudendal
nerve denervation in 80% of
women after vaginal delivery. The
mechanism of injury is most likely
to be a combination of direct
trauma and traction injury during
delivery. Risk factors included a
long second stage (> 56.7 minutes),
a large baby (> 3.41 kg), and a
forceps delivery. Weakness was
shown in both the levator ani
muscle and the external anal
sphincter after vaginal delivery.
This is the result of a combination
of loss of total motor units as well
as asynchronous activity in those
that remained. Sensory nerve
function is also likely to become
impaired by nerve damage. This
will be clinically most evident
in the anal canal, with its many
afferent nerve endings, resulting
in anal incontinence or faecal
urgency. Caesarean section has
been shown to be protective, but
only in women who delivered
electively.

Trauma to the pelvic floor
muscles

Anatomical and functional changes
to the pelvic floor can develop
secondary to pelvic floor distension
during descent of the fetal head

and maternal expulsive efforts
during the second stage of labor.
The most important muscles of the
pelvic floor are the puborectalis,
pubococcygeus and anal sphincter
muscles. The genital hiatus in
nulliparous women measures 6-36
cm2 during valsalva while the
surface area of the fetal head is 70-
100 cm2. This clearly demonstrates
the extent (± 300%) that the
levator ani muscle is required to
stretch during childbirth. Partial
levator avulsion has been shown
to occur in 15% of women during
delivery (Figure 1). These women
are at an increased risk for severe
pelvic organ prolapse, urinary
incontinence and even recurrent
prolapse after surgical treatment.
Studies on MRI of the pelvic floor
did not identify any levator ani
defects in nulliparous women, in
contrast to the findings in 20%
of primiparous women, who had
a visible defect in the levator ani
muscle. These defects were usually
in the pubovisceral portion of the
levator ani muscle. Reported risk
factors include higher maternal
age (>35 yrs), large babies,
prolonged second stage, and
forceps delivery. Pelvic floor muscle
strength has been also been shown
to decrease by 25-35% following
vaginal delivery compared to
caesarean section. Interestingly,

115

6-10 weeks postpartum there is
however no significant difference
from antenatal values, excepting
for a lower intravaginal pressure in
multiparous women.

Figure 2: Two-dimensional
endoanal ultrasound image of anal
sphincter disruption secondary to
obstetric injury.

Injury to the anal sphincter during
childbirth occurs either as a result
of direct disruption of the muscles
or due to injury to the pudendal
nerves. The incidence of anal
sphincter damage varies between
0.5 - 2.5% where mediolateral
episiotomies are used, and 7%
where midline episiotomies
are used. The use of endoanal
ultrasound has demonstrated a
much higher incidence of anal
sphincter injuries (Figure 2) in
asymptomatic women, the so-
called occult injuries with as many
as 35% of primiparous and up to
44% of multiparous women having
evidence of sphincter disruption.
Risk factors for both the overt and
occult sphincter injuries include
forceps delivery, prolonged second
stage, large birth weight, midline
episiotomy, and occipitoposterior
positions.

Connective tissue trauma

Pelvic organ support essentially
consists of or relies on the
endopelvic fascia and the
condensations of this fascia that
forms the ligaments (uterosacral,
transverse sacral). Increased pelvic
organ mobility (POM), manifesting
as pelvic organ prolapse (POP),
occurs as a consequence of
weakness of these supports. It is far
more common in parous women
(50%), compared to nulliparous
women (2%). During vaginal
delivery, the mechanism is most
likely due to mechanical trauma of
these supporting structures with
subsequent degrees of disruption.
Spontaneous healing might also
lead to weaker collagen and so
predispose to incontinence and
prolapse.

Figure 1: Levator avulsion injury
on ultrasound, the vagina reaching
the pelvic sidewall (arrow) with
no intervening muscle, unlike the
healthy contralateral side.

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Effect of childbirth on
specific pelvic floor
disorders

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a
common symptom in pregnancy
and has been reported in up
to 85% of women. Women
reporting antenatal stress urinary
incontinence (SUI) are at an
increased risk for future SUI. De
novo SUI has been reported to
develop in 7% of primigravid
women immediately following
vaginal delivery but this only
persisted in 3% at one year.
The most likely mechanism is a
combination of nerve and tissue
damage. At five-year follow
up, 19% of women without
urinary symptoms after the first
delivery reported SUI. In contrast
92% of women reporting stress
incontinence three months after
delivery, had SUI five years later.
Antepartum incontinence has also
been reported to strongly predict
postpartum incontinence. It is
remains unclear as to whether it
is the pregnancy or specifically
the vaginal delivery that is the
risk factor for developing urinary
incontinence. It would appear that
vaginal delivery roughly doubles a
woman's chance of developing Ul.

It is important to remember that
after adjusting for other potential
causes of pelvic floor damage,
a woman's risk for moderate to
severe incontinence decreases
from about 10% to 5% if all of her
children are delivered by caesarean
section. The protective effect of
caesarean delivery and nulliparity
dissipates around the sixth decade
of life, such that the women
have the same incidence of Ul
regardless of their delivery status.

Anal incontinence

Al is a distressing social handicap
and vaginal delivery is a major
etiological factor. Al occurs
in as many as 29% of women
nine months after delivery. The
reported incidence of Al following
anal sphincter rupture is in the
region of 16-47%. There is some
evidence to suggest that elective
caesarean section is protective
against Al but the impact of
delivery mode appears to decline
with age. The use of forceps is
the single independent risk factor
associated with anal sphincter
damage and the development
of Al. The first vaginal delivery
has been suggested to be the
most significant event leading
to damage of the anal sphincter.
Retrospective studies have
reported that the prevalence of

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Al 30 years after delivery was
comparable, regardless of mode of
delivery.

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic support defects appear to
occur before delivery. Pregnant
women have been shown to be
more likely to have POP than
their nulliparous counterparts.
Parity increases the risk for POP
and is the variable most strongly
related to surgery for POP. We
await prospective studies on the
impact of vaginal delivery and
intrapartum management, on the
development and prevention of
defects in the connective tissue
and levator muscles that lead to
pelvic organ prolapse.

Conclusion

There appears to be a strong
association between the
development of pelvic floor
disorders including Ul, Al and POP
and pregnancy and childbirth.
Mechanisms of injury include direct
muscular trauma, disruption of
connective tissues, and denervation
injury. The first vaginal delivery
is the most significant event
impacting of the development
on subsequent pelvic floor
dysfunction. Other risk factors
include advanced maternal age at
first delivery, prolonged second

stage of labour, delivery of a large
baby, midline episiotomy, and the
use of a forceps for delivery. Less
pelvic floor damage may occur
after elective caesarean section,
but not necessarily with emergency
caesarean section. The advantage
of caesarean section appears,
however, to dissipate in the long
term in the majority of women and
it is therefore not recommended
in all women. It will not only be
unnecessary in at least 50% of
parturients, but many women
desire the experience of vaginal
delivery. Ideally, women should be
offered strategies to reduce pelvic
floor injury such as pelvic floor
exercises. Adequate management
of labour is essential and elective
caesarean section should only be
offered to women at high risk for
pelvic floor damage.

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Chapter 15

Conservative management of
pelvic organ prolapse

Trudie Smith

Pelvic organ prolapse is common
and is seen in 50% of parous
women .One recent community
survey by Slieker-ten et al found
that 40% of the general female
population aged 45 to 85 years had
evidence of pelvic organ prolapse
of at least stage two.

Pelvic organ prolapse is rarely
life-threatening, but may have a
significant impact on a woman's
quality of life. Choice of treatment
for prolapse depends on the
severity of prolapse, its symptoms,
and the woman's general health
and preference. Options available
for treatment can be categorized
as conservative, mechanical
and surgical. Conservative or
mechanical treatment is generally
considered for women with a mild
degree of prolapse, those who
wish to have more children, the
frail or those unwilling to undergo
surgery.
The interventions which could

be considered in conservative
management consist of the
following:

• Lifestyle interventions

• Physiotherapy

• Pessaries

1. Life Style
Interventions

Several studies have addressed
the association of heavy lifting
and strenuous physical activity
in the causation of pelvic organ
prolapse. Jorgensen and colleagues
compared the incidence of surgery
for prolapse in 28 619 Danish
nursing assistance compared to
a staggering 1652533 female
population controls. The nursing
assistants occupation constantly
exposed them to repetitive heavy
lifting. He found that these
nursing assistants where 1 .6 times

119

more likely to undergo surgery
than their controls. This study
did not however adjust for parity
and other contributing factors.
In another study by Spernol et al
they found that 68% of women
with prolapse reported heavy to
medium work compared to 0%
of controls. Again there was no
adjustment for parity, mode of
delivery, or other contributing
factors.

Body weight was also considered
a risk factor in the British Oxford
Family Planning Association Study.
All of these studies unfortunately
were cross -sectional studies and
do not control for parity, degree
of prolapse or other confounding
factors.

Constipation and a history of
irritable bowel syndrome were
strong and independent risk
factors for symptomatic prolapse
in an epidemiological trial done by
Guri Rortveit et al. This association
between constipation and
prolapse has not been observed
in other studies that included
the condition as a potential risk
factor for prolapse. Straining with
chronic constipation may damage
the pelvic floor; alternatively,
constipation may be a symptom
of posterior prolapse. This was

however, a cross-sectional study
and did not allow any inference
about causal relationships.

There is no conclusive evidence
that lifestyle changes are going to
improve the degree of prolapse or
the symptoms associated with the
prolapse.

2. Physiotherapy

Pelvic muscle training (Kegel
exercises) is a simple, noninvasive
intervention that may improve
pelvic function. Whether Kegel
exercises can resolve prolapse
has not been adequately studied
in good randomized controlled
trials since Kegel's original articles.
While systematic reviews and
randomized controlled trials (RCT)
have shown a convincing effect
of pelvic floor muscle training
for stress and mixed urinary
incontinence, there seems to
be a paucity of data for other
conditions associated with pelvic
floor dysfunction. It is commonly
recommended as adjunct therapy
for women with prolapse, often
with symptom directed therapy.
The POPPY Trial, a multi-centre
randomized controlled trial of a
pelvic floor muscle training for
women with pelvic organ prolapse,
which is currently being conducted

120

in Australia, may address this issue.

Prevention

Harvey et al in a systematic
review on the role of pelvic floor
exercises in preventing pelvic floor
prolapse, failed to validate its use
as a preventative measure. Piya-
Anant et al performed a cross
sectional study in 682 women
and an intervention study of
654 of the same cohort . Seventy
percent of the subjects in the cross
sectional study had POP. Thirty
percent were classified as severe
and 40% as mild prolapse. The
women were randomly allocated
to an intervention or a control
group. Women in the intervention
group were taught to contract
the pelvic floor muscles 30 times
after a meal every day. Women
not able to contract were asked to
return to the clinic once a month
until they could perform corrected
contractions. They were also
advised to eat more vegetables
and fruit and to drink at least two
liters of water per day to prevent
constipation. They were followed-
up every six months throughout
the 2-year intervention period.
The results indicated that the
intervention was only effective in
the group with severe prolapse.
The rate of worsening of POP was
72.2 and 27.8% in the control

group and in the pelvic floor
muscle training group, respectively.

The two main hypotheses on the
mechanism of action of PFMT
include morphological changes
occurring after strength training
and the use of a conscious
contraction during an increase
in abdominal pressure in daily
activities. There is an urgent need
for good quality RCT's, preferably
using the POP-Q system and using
standardized exercise programmes.

3. Vaginal Pessaries

Pessaries have been manufactured
from many materials including
silicone, rubber, clear plastic, soft
plastic and latex. Most pessaries
today are made of silicone and
as a result are non allergic ,do
not absorb odours or secrete
substances. Silicone is resistant
to breakdown with repeated
cleansing and autoclaving.
Pessaries are often used in
pregnant patients, the elderly and
in patients who do not want or
are too frail to undergo surgery.
Pessaries may also be used to
facilitate preoperative healing
of vaginal and cervical ulcers
in patients who present with
a procidentia. Another useful

121

advantage of these devices is that
they can be used to elicit occult
stress incontinence before surgical
repair of genital prolapse. A
pessary can also predict whether
surgery will correct problems such
as pelvic and back pain.

While pessary manufacturers
provide suggestions for different
pessary shapes to manage different
types of prolapse, experience
suggests that trial and error is
really the only way to determine
the best fit for each patient . This
depends on factors such as the
site, severity and the symptoms
associated with the prolapse.
Other factors, such as the patient's
physical capacity and willingness
to participate in the care of the
pessary, together with the size of
the introitus, the patient's weight
and her physical activity also play a
role when choosing a pessary.
Fritzinger et al stated that there
is no scientific data outlining the
standards of care for users of
vaginal pessaries. However, most
authors agree that routine follow
up of women using pessaries is
necessary to minimize the risk
of complications associated with
their use. At each visit the pessary
should be removed and cleaned
using mild antibacterial soap and
warm water. It should be examined

to ensure that the integrity of the
silicone is intact The vagina should
also be examined for signs of
constant pressure.

Patients should be advised that
intercourse may be possible with a
ring in situ. She should be aware
that it may cause some discomfort
to both partners in the beginning
but this often settles as the
patient and her partner become
comfortable with it. Women who
are able to remove and reinsert
the pessary should be encouraged
to do so prior to intercourse.

A simulated picture depicting the
position and placement of the
pessary

Contraindications to Pessary

Insertion

• Severe untreated vaginal
atrophy

• Vaginal bleeding of unknown

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origin

• Pelvic inflammatory disease

• Abnormal pap smear

• Dementia without possibility of
dependable follow-up care

• Expected non-compliance with
follow-up

Types of Pessaries

Often referred to as the
"incontinence ring" since it has
been designed for use in women
with stress incontinence.

• Has a membrane to support
prolapse.

• Has holes for drainage.

• Knob applies pressure to the
urethra against the pubic bone.

remain in place

Soft silicone, donut shaped.

• Occludes upper vagina and
supports a uterine prolapse

• Useful for cystocele or rectocele

• May be used for vault prolapse

• Adequate tone of the introitus
is necessary for the pessary to

White silicon cube

Indications: Third-degree prolapse,
cystocele or rectocele, with or
without good vaginal tone.

• Often this is the only satisfactory
support for women with a
complete prolapse

• Excellent for vaginal wall
prolapse in that it keeps the
vaginal walls from collapsing at
the six pressure points.

• May be used by an athlete and
removed after exercise.

• Mucosa molds to the concavities
creating a negative pressure

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Incontinence Dish

• Dish-shaped pessary with holes
to allow for drainage.

• The flexible membrane of the
dish supports and elevates a
mild cystocele.

• Used in patients with stress
urinary incontinence with 1st or
2nd degree prolapse, or a mild
cystocele.

Arch Heel Gehrung

• U-shaped device that provides
support to the anterior vaginal
wall. The heel rests flat on the
vaginal floor

• It avoids pressure on the rectum

while supporting the anterior
wall

• It is malleable and can be
shaped to suit the shape of the
vagina

• Creates a "bladder bridge"

Ring - with and without
support

• Helps support the urethra and
bladder neck.

• Membrane provides additional
support for a cystocele.

• Useful for a first or mild
second-degree uterine prolapse
associated with a mild cystocele.

Complications of pessaries

All authors listed vaginal discharge
and odor as the most common
complication. Other complications
which may occur are pelvic pain,
bleeding and development of
urinary incontinence. Failure to
retain a pessary in the vagina,
or failure of the pessary to
hold the prolapse properly is
an obvious disadvantage. Flood
and Hanson described erosions
of the vaginal wall as being a
common problem. They state
that early intervention using an
estrogen-based cream or vaginal
lubricant are essential to proper
pessary care. Severe complications
such as vesico-vaginal fistulae,
hydronephrosis, sepsis, and even

124

small bowel incarceration were
cited in the literature as the
result of inadequate follow-up.
Poma, reports in a review of 2,341
vaginal cancers, that 10.1% were
associated with a pessary .It is
debatable if this is a risk factor for
vaginal malignancy.

Conclusion

There is paucity of good
randomized controlled trails that
evaluate the use of conservative
methods for the management of
pelvic organ prolapse. Perhaps
with the POP Q scoring system for
prolapse and renewed interest in
non surgical management, this will
change in the future.

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Chapter 16

Surgical Management of
Urogenital Prolapse

Stephen Jeffery

Introduction

Urogenital prolapse is a common
condition and though not life-
threatening, it has a significant
impact on the quality of life of
women. Its treatment is one of the
most common surgical indications
in gynaecology, accounting for
20% of elective major surgery with
this figure increasing to 59% in
the elderly population. Despite
numerous modifications to the
traditional surgical techniques and
the recent introduction of novel
procedures, the permanent cure of
urogenital prolapse remains one of
the biggest challenges in modern
gynaecology.

Surgical Management

The following factors need to
be taken into account when
considering surgical intervention
for prolapse:

• Bothersomeness of symptoms
and extent of prolapse

• Desire for future pregnancy

• Sexual function

• Age

• Fitness for surgery and
anaesthesia

• Associated incontinence
symptoms

• Patient's wishes

Important point

There is as yet no surgical
technique that can guarantee
100% success in treating prolapse
and some procedures such as
anterior colporrhaphy carry failure
rates of up to 30%. This important
point needs to be emphasized
whenever counselling patients
regarding the management of
prolapse.

General principles

All women should receive
prophylactic antibiotics to
cover gram-negative and gram
positive organisms, as well as

126

thromboembolic prophylaxis in
the form of low dose heparin and
thromboembolic deterrent (TED)
stockings.

Patients having pelvic surgery
are positioned in lithotomy
with their hips abducted and
flexed. To minimise blood loss,
local infiltration of the vaginal
epithelium is performed using
0.5% xylocaine and 1/200 000
adrenaline although care should
be taken in patients with co-
existent cardiac disease.

fascial plication. Many surgeons
place an additional plication
layer of support using a delayed
absorbable suture such as PDS
in the levator connective tissue
medial to the iscniopubic rami.
Skin edges are trimmed and closed
using polyglycolic sutures (Vicryl,
Ethicon).

Mid-urethral tapes such as the TVT
or TOT should be placed through
a separate incision to prevent the
tape from migrating up towards
the bladder neck.

1. Surgical options
for Anterior
Compartment
prolapse

1.1. Vaginal Approach

Anterior Vaginal Repair
(Anterior Colporrhaphy)

An incision is made in the vaginal
epithelium below the urethral
meatus to the cervix or vaginal
vault. A diamond-shaped incision
is sometimes made. The cystocele
is dissected off the overlying
vaginal skin using scissors and
blunt dissection. The underlying
pubocervical fascia is then reduced
using vicryl 3/0 sutures, known as

Vaginal Paravaginal Repair

Some surgeons perform an
extensive dissection stretching
from the pubis anteriorly to the
ischial spine posteriorly. Up to
four sutures are placed along the
white line. This is the vaginal
paravaginal repair.

1.2 Abdominal Approach

Abdominal Paravaginal Repair

This is the abdominal approach to
anterior compartment prolapse.
It is employed when another
intra-abdominal procedure eg.
sacrocolpopexy or hysterectomy is
being performed.
Through a Pfannenstiel incision,
the retropubic space is opened
and the bladder swept medially.

127

exposing the pelvic sidewall, very
similar to a burch colposuspension
procedure. Two fingers are placed
in the vagina and it is elevated
digitally. The pubocervical fascia
is reattached to the pelvic sidewall
using interrupted polydioxanone
(PDS, Ethicon) sutures from the
pubis to just anterior to the ischial
spine.

2. Surgical Options
For Posterior
Compartment
Prolapse

Traditionally this compartment
is approached vaginally when
operated on by the gynaecologist.
It is important to remember
that the colo-rectal surgeons
also operate on the posterior
compartment using a transanal
approach. The patient should be
referred to a colorectal surgeon
for assessment if the following are
present: concurrent anal or rectal
pathology such as hemorrhoids,
rectal wall prolapse or rectal
mucosal redundancy.

Posterior Colpoperineorrhaphy

Procedure

Two a II is or littlewood forceps

are placed on the perineum

at the level of the hymenal
remnants, allowing the calibre
of the introitus to be estimated.
Following infiltration, the
perineal scarring is excised and
the posterior vaginal wall opened
using a longitudinal or triangular
incision. The rectocele is mobilized
from the vaginal skin by blunt and
sharp dissection. The rectovaginal
fascia is then plicated using either
an interrupted or continuous
absorbable suture (Vicryl 3/0), to
repair the defect. This is often
called the site-specific repair. Care
should be taken not to create a
constriction ring in the vagina
which will result in dyspareunia.
The redundant skin edges are
then trimmed taking care not to
remove too much tissue and thus
narrow the vagina. The posterior
vaginal wall is closed with a
continuous Vicryl 2/0 suture. Many
surgeons, in addition to the site-
specific plication, place a number
of interrupted lateral sutures
that incorporate the Levator Ani
muscles. This Levator plication has
been shown to be associated with
significant dyspareunia and is no
longer recommended. Finally a
perineorrhaphy is performed by
placing deeper absorbable sutures
into the perineal muscles and
fascia thus building up the perineal
body to provide additional support

128

to the posterior vaginal wall and
lengthening the vagina. Injury to
the rectum is unusual but should
be identified at the time of the
procedure so that the defect
can be closed in layers using an
absorbable suture and the patient
managed with prophylactic
antibiotics, low residue diet and
faecal softening agents to avoid
constipation.

3. Middle
Compartment

3.1 Uterovaginal prolapse

3.1.1 Vaginal hysterectomy

The cervix is circumscribed and the
utero-vesical fold and pouch of
Douglas opened. The uterosacral
and cardinal ligaments are divided
and ligated first, followed by the
uterine pedicles and finally the
tubo-ovarian and round ligament
pedicles. In cases of procidentia,
care should be taken to avoid
kinking of the ureters which
are often dragged into a lower
position than normal. The most
important part of the procedure
is support of the vault since these
women are at high risk for post-
hysterectomy vault prolapse. The

uterosacral ligament sutures are
therefore tied in the midline and
brought through the posterior
part of the vault and tied after
the vault has been closed. For
additional support, a high
uterosacral ligament suspension
can be performed by placing
additional PDS sutures through
the lateral aspects of the vaginal
vault on each side and securing
these to the ipsilateral uterosacral
ligament. This procedure places
the ureters at risk and therefore
ureteric patency should be
confirmed post-operatively by
cystoscopy. These sutures are
also tied after the vault has been
closed. An alternative to the high
uterosacral ligament suspension
is a McCall suture. This is a purse-
string suture that goes through
both corners of the vaginal vault,
through the uterosacral ligaments
and also through the posterior
peritoneum to obliterate the
pouch of Douglas to prevent
enterocele formation.

3.1.2 Uterine preservation
procedures

Sacrohysteropexy

(See a separate chapter on
Sacrocolpopexy)

This technique involves

129

attaching the uterus to the
sacral promontory using a
broad piece of prolene mesh.
Through a Pfannenstiel incision
the peritoneum over the sacral
promontory is opened. The
prolene mesh is attached to the
posterior aspect of the uterus with
the sutures secured at the level
of insertion of the uterosacral
ligaments. The mesh is then
attached to the anterior aspect
of the sacral promontory using
either an Ethibond suture or screw
tacks. The perioneum is then
partially closed over the mesh. This
operation can be combined with
an abdominal paravaginal repair
in a women with a cystocele and a
colposuspension in a patient with
stress incontinence.

Manchester repair (Fothergill
repair)

This procedure is only rarely
performed nowadays. Cervical
amputation is followed by
approximating and shortening
the cardinal ligaments anterior to
the cervical stump and elevating
the uterus. This is combined
with an anterior and posterior
colporrhaphy. The operation
has fallen from favour as long
term problems include infertility,
miscarriage and dystocia in
addition to recurrent uterovaginal

prolapse and enterocele formation.

3.2 Enterocele repair

An enterocele repair is normally
performed using a vaginal
approach. The vaginal epithelium
is dissected off the enterocele sac
which is then reduced using two or
more polyglycolic (Vicryl, Ethicon)
or polydioxanone (PDS, Ethicon)
purse string sutures. It is not
essential to open the enterocele
sac although care should be taken
not to damage any loops of small
bowel which it may contain. The
vaginal skin is then closed.

An abdominal approach may also
be used although this is much
less common. The Moschowitz
procedure is performed by
inserting concentric purse string
sutures around the peritoneum
in the pouch of Douglas thus
preventing enterocele formation,
although care must be taken not
to 'kink' or occlude the ureters.

3.3 Vaginal vault procedures

Risk of post-hysterectomy apical
prolapse is about 0.36% per year;
or 1% (at 3yrs) and 5% (at 17yrs).
The vaginal vault can be supported
vaginally or abdominally.

130

Vaginal procedures that suspend the
apex

Sacrospinous ligament fixation (Sacrospinous
colpopexy)

Modified McCall cul-de-plasty (Endopelvic
fascia repair)

lliococcygeus fascia fixation

High uterosacral ligament suspension with
fascial reconstruction

Vaginal obliterative procedures

Colpectomy & colpocleisis

Abdominal procedures that suspend the
apex

Sacralcolpopexy

New techniques

Transobturator- procedures including Prolift,
Apogee and Avaulta

3.3.1 Vaginal Procedures

Sacrospinous Ligament Fixation
(SSF)

A longitudinal posterior or anterior
vaginal wall incision is performed
to expose the ischial spine using
sharp and blunt dissection. The
sacrospinous ligament may then
be palpated running from the
ischial spine to the lower aspect of
the sacrum. A delayed absorbable
suture (PDS) is passed through the
ligament. A number of techniques
are available to do this. A standard
long needle holder or a specially
designed Miya hook ligature
carrier can be used. Most recently,

the Capio® ligature carrier (see
picture) has been launched
which makes the procedure
significantly easier. Both right and
left Sacrospinous ligaments can
be used to support the vagina.
Some surgeons employ only one
ligament but there is no evidence
to suggest that a uni-or bilateral is
better.

Care must be taken to avoid
the sacral plexus and sciatic
nerve which are superior to the
ligament, and the pudendal
vessels and nerve which are
lateral to the ischial spine. The
sacrospinous sutures are then
tied to support the vaginal vault
from the sacrospinous ligament.
Since the vaginal axis is changed
by the procedure there is a risk
of post-operative dyspareunia
and development of stress
incontinence. Success rates for this
procedure are in the region of 80-
95%.

Complications of SSF:

• Haemorrhage

• Buttock pain

• Nerve injury

• Rectal injury

• Stress incontinence

• Vaginal stenosis

• Anterior vaginal wall prolapse

131

3.3.2 llliococcygeus Fixation

In this procedure, the vaginal vault
is fixed to the illiococcygeus muscle
fascia on both sides, just anterior
to the ischial spines. The procedure
can be performed through either
an anterior or posterior vaginal
incision. A delayed absorbable
suture is used and secured to the
vaginal vault and is associated
with a good anatomical result
with an adequate vaginal
length with no deviation. A trial
comparing illiococcygeus fixation
and sacrospinous fixation found
similar outcomes and comparable
complication rates.

3.3.3 Abdominal Procedures

Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy

See separate chapter

3.4 Obliterative Procedures

Colpocleisis

Colpocleisis is an excellent option
in patients who are certain
that they will not want to be
sexually active in the future. This
is often a last resort in many
women who have had recurrent
procedures for vaginal prolapse.
In partial colpocleisis (so-called
Le Fort colpocleisis), the vagina is
obliterated by excising rectangles
of vaginal epithelium from the

anterior and posterior aspects of
the prolapse. These raw areas are
then sutured together, thereby
burying the cervix and obliterating
the vagina. In total colpocleisis all
the vaginal skin is removed and
the anterior and posterior vaginal
walls approximated. In both
these procedures, an aggressive
perineorrhaphy is performed.
There is a high incidence of
stress incontinence (up to 42%)
following these procedures and
therefore a concomitant mid-
urethral tape is mandatory.
These procedures are performed
on an outpatient basis with an
immediate return to normal
activities, and success rates as high
as 100% have been described.

132

Sacrocolpopexy

Hennie Cronje

Chapter 17

Definition

Sacrocolpopexy (SCP) is the
suspension of the vaginal vault to
the sacrum. A synthetic mesh is
usually used which is fixed to the
vaginal vault and to the anterior
longitudinal ligament of the
sacrum opposite S1 - S2. The mesh
is usually placed retroperitoneally
and the procedure is done
abdominally by laparotomy or
laparoscopy.

Variations

There are numerous variations:

1. Tension

The tension of the mesh can vary
from tension-free to a moderate
tension. Due to fibrosis the mesh
shrinks and therefore, excessive
tension should be avoided.

2. Length

The length of mesh along the

vagina can vary:

From:

IntroTtus or mid-vagina or Vault

Vagina to Sacrum or Perineal body
or mid-vagina or Vault

The longer the mesh extends
along the vagina, the lower the
recurrence rate for prolapse.
However, complications such as
overactive bladder symptoms and
mesh erosion increase with longer
mesh.

3. Material

Type 1 macroporous monofilament
synthetic mesh is recommended.

4. Rectum

Rectum mobilization with
elevation and fixation of it to the
mesh (rectopexy) is recommended
but not proven to be beneficial.

Indications

Any type of prolapse, stage 3
or 4 (POPQ). It is particularly
useful for vault prolapse and large
enterocoeles. It is also performed
for anterior compartment
prolapse, but the larger the
cystocoele, the greater the extent

133

of bladder mobilisation.

Contraindications

Patients too young (<40 yr)
Patients too old (> 70 yr)
Marked obesity

Medical problems that may create
post-operative problems such as
deep vein thrombosis.
Patients on anticoagulants,
including Disprin.

Age group

The ideal age group is 45 - 65
years.

Recommended technique

The operation consists of a
laparotomy and can be divided in
three parts:

(i) Abdominally

Separate the bladder from the

vagina to the level of the bladder

neck.

Open the peritoneum medially

to the rectum from the sacral

promontory to the vagina.

Open the rectovaginal space for a

short distance.

Open the presacral space and

aggressively mobilize the rectum

down to the pelvic floor.

(ii) Vaginally*

Open the bladder neck area.
Open the space already made

from above (between bladder and

vagina).

Insert a strip of mesh (about 15x3

cm) into the abdomen.

Fix the bottom of the mesh to

the arcuate ligament below the

symphysis pubis and surrounding

vaginal wall.

Close the anterior vagina.

Open the posterior vaginal wall.

Open the rectovaginal space and

join it with the abdominal cavity.

Insert a second strip of mesh.

If necessary, perform a perineal

body repair.

Fix the mesh to the perineal body

and surrounding vaginal wall.

Close the vagina.

*Hydrodissection is recommended
before incision. Use 200ml
saline with 2 ampules Por-8
(omnipressin). It is injected
between the vagina and bladder
or rectum.

(iii) Abdominally

The two strips of mesh are fixed to
the vaginal vault and then to the
sacrum at level S1 -2. Moderate
tension should be applied.
Thereafter the rectum is pulled
upwards and along its medial
side fixed to the mesh. Finally,
the peritoneum is pulled over the
mesh (it is often trimmed) and
sutured to the rectum. A markedly

134

elevated pouch of Douglas is
characteristic of this operation.

A suprapubic catheter is usually
inserted for determining the
residual volume on day 3-4
postoperatively. It should be
less than 70ml. A vaginal plug
is inserted after the operation
and removed 36-48 hours
postoperatively. The skin
stitches are kept in for 2 weeks.
Anticoagulant therapy is applied
from the first day after the
operation.

Bowel action is important
postoperatively and when she
is discharged. Initially, laxatives
should be given. Antibiotics are
also given for the first few days.

Results:

The main results of SCP as
described above are the following:
Recurrent prolapse about 10%
(depending on the surgeons'
experience and the type of
prolapse).

Mesh erosion about 10-15% of
which 95 - 98% can be treated in
the consulting room by excision
of the exposed mesh followed by
vaginal estrogen cream 1 - 2x/
week.

Overactive detrusor 40-60%, but
the incidence decreases over time.
Stress urinary incontinence in
about 10% of cases. Physiotherapy
or a mid-urethral tape should be
considered.

Abdominal pains during the first 6
months.

Vaginal bleeding during the first
month.

Dyspareunia 5 - 6% (the same
figure as preoperatively).
Although the bowel action
improves markedly in most
patients, a minority of women
have persistent constipation.
If obstructive defaecation
persists after the operation, a
defaecogram should be done (very
similar to a barium enema). If a
rectocoele (particularly with rectal
intussusception) is demonstrated,
a STARR procedure could be
considered (consult a colorectal
surgeon).

Outcomes

1. Cronje HS. Colposacrosuspension
for severe genital prolapse. Int J
Gynecol Obstet 2004; 85: 30-35.
Recurrent prolapse: 8%

Repeat surgery: 4%

TVT /Ob-tape postoperatively: 12%

135

2. Cronje HS, De Beer JAA.
Abdominal hysterectomy and
Burch colposuspension for
uterovaginal prolapse. Int
Urogynecol J 2004; 24: 408-413.
Recurrent prolapse: 10%
Repeat surgery: 9%
TVT/Ob-tape: 3%

3. Cronje HS, De Beer JAA.
Vault prolapse treated by
sacrocolpopexy. S Afr J Obstet
Gynaecol 2007; 13:80-83.
Recurrent prolapse: 14%
Repeat surgery: 8%
TVT/Ob-tape: 8%

6. Cronje HS, De Beer JAA, Nel
M, Picton AJ. The length of
mesh used in sacrocolpopexy and
subsequent recurrence of prolapse.
(In press).

Mesh from vaginal vault to sacrum:
24% recurrent prolapse.
Mesh from mid-vagina to sacrum:

9% recurrent prolapse.
Mesh from vaginal introitus to
sacrum: 8% recurrent prolapse.

4. Cronje HS, De Beer JAA.
Combined abdominal
sacrocolpopexy and Burch
colposuspension for the treatment
of stage 3 and 4 anterior
compartment prolapse. S Afr J
Obstet Gynaecol 2007; 13: 84-90.
Recurrent prolapse: 16%

Repeat surgery: 6%

TVT/Ob-tape: 8%

5. Cronje HS, De Beer JAA.
Culdocele repair in female pelvic
organ prolapse. Int J Gynecol
Obstet 2008; 100: 262-266.
Recurrent prolapse:
Repeat surgery:
TVT/Ob-tape:

10
5

13

136

Chapter 18

Pelvic floor muscle
rehabilitation

Corina Avni

Introduction

Interest and expertise in pelvic
floor function and rehabilitation
has expanded markedly over
recent years. While the field of
Women's Health physiotherapy
is not yet deemed mainstream,
it is a growing specialty and is
increasingly included as a first line
of investigation and management
in conditions ranging from non-
resolving lower back pain (LBP)
to urinary urgency/frequency.
It is now accepted as standard
treatment for female urinary
incontinence and pelvic floor re-
education is included as routine
care in many obstetric services.

This popularization within
physiotherapy can be partially
attributed to an improved
understanding of the pressures in
the pelvis and lumbar spine, and
how these relate to pelvic floor

loading and the associations with
movement and visceral function.

Work on muscle rehabilitation was
profoundly impacted by Andre
Vleeming's description of forces
around the sacroiliac joint (SIJ).
The concept of form closure and
force closure as they apply to
the body (skeletal vs. muscular
and fascial systems) resulted in
a rethink of the transmission of
pressure between the central
core of the lower spine and
the abdomen (intra-abdominal
pressure (IAP)), the thorax
(breathing) and limbs (activity).
Evidence based research describes
the types of muscle function under
varying degrees of load, looking
at the different muscles that
stabilize and mobilize the body.
Muscle function is further divided
into local and global systems, each
having partner muscles working
within functional slings. Control
and quality of movement are

137

now central treatment objectives,
whereas the older benchmarks
of strength and range of motion
(ROM) are simple progressions.

This chapter aims to examine the
diverse roles and functions of the
pelvic floor. We will address the
need for specificity in assessment
and rehab selection and outline
treatment options and techniques
used to quantify and qualify PF
function.

The scope of
physiotherapy and
aims of pelvic floor
rehabilitation

A broad range of complaints
and conditions occur as a result
of pelvic floor dysfunction
and may therefore respond to
pelvic floor rehabilitation.
• Bladder dysfunction:

• stress incontinence (SI),

• overactive bladder (OAB),

• frequency/urgency, nocturia,

• post void residuals (PVR) and
other voiding dysfunction,

• hesitancy, interstitial cystitis,

• leaking with intercourse,
recurrent urinary tract
infections (RUTIs)

• Sexual dysfunction:

• pain on penetration,

• dyspareunia,

• post-coital pain,

• orgasmic disorder,

• vaginismus

• Bowel dysfunction:

• faecal incontinence (Fl),

• flatus, urgency,

• incomplete evacuation,

• constipation,

• disordered ano-rectal
function,

• anismus

• Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)

The scope of physiotherapeutic
management extends from
conservative measures,
including behavioural
modification, pelvic floor
muscle rehabilitation to
electrotherapy.
Recent additions to the pelvic
floor rehab repertoire include
myofascial techniques, trigger
points and low load vs. high load
muscle activation.

138

Pelvic floor function and dysfunction

Characteristic

Function

Dysfunction

Base element of core

Control changes in IAP

Poor generation of IAP with
function e.g. weak cough

Lumbar and pelvic load

Lumbopelvic stability

Low back pain and chronic
pelvic pain/pelvic girdle pain

Fast twitch muscle activity
High load

With activity and physical
stress

SI, POP

Slow twitch muscle activity
Low load

For antigravity support,
bladder inhibition, anorectal
angle

POP, OAB, Fl

Eccentric muscle activity

Release pelvic sling whilst
supporting ano-rectum during
defaecation

Obstructed defaecation, POP

Tone and elasticity

Supportive sling

POP

Sexual participation

Sexual awareness/enjoyment

Dysparuenia, decreased sexual
enjoyment

The physiology of micturition
as it relates to the pelvic floor

• The pelvic floor co-ordinates
cortically stimulated activities
(when and where to void).
Other functions are mediated
at the spinal level.

• There are a number of reflexes
acting between the pelvic floor
and the bladder:

• The Perineodetrusor inhibitory
reflex inhibits detrusor activity
in response to increasing tone in
the pelvic floor muscles. (Storage
phase - early)

• The Perineobulbar detrusor
inhibitory reflex inhibits
contraction of the detrusor
in response to contraction of
the perineal and pelvic floor

muscles. (Storage phase - late)
• The Urethrosphincteric
guarding reflex stimulates a
powerful contraction of the
external striated urethral
sphincter in response to urine
in the proximal urethra and/
or increasing tension in the
trigone. (Storage phase - under
stress)

Abdominopelvic synergy

The pelvic floor has been shown
to have 'partner muscles' that co-
activate to form functional slings.

139

Some of the notable partners are:

Abdominal Muscle

Pelvic Floor

Transversus Abdomi-
nis (TA)

Pubococcygeus (PC)
& anterior PF

Obliques

Levator ani

Rectus Abdominis
(RA)

Puborectalis

NB: Whilst the PF is defined along
anatomical lines, its function
should be considered as part of a
greater unit. Indeed, the associated
abdominal co-contraction may be
more important than contracting
the PF in its entirety.

The pelvic floor as a pressure
mediator

The normal pelvic floor, with
intact fascia, needs little more
than its inherent elasticity
and reflex activity to function
adequately. When the normal
fascial attachments, however,
are compromised by pregnancy
and other factors increasing IAP,
forces are exerted unequally
through the pelvis, hence loading
different compartments selectively
and repeatedly. The pelvic
floor therefore usually requires
selective rehabilitation to ensure
appropriate activation for either SI,
OAB or POP.

The pelvic floor as a
pressure mediator for Stress
Incontinence Rehabilitation
aims to enhance the mechanical
functioning of the pelvic floor,
particularly speed and strength.
The woman needs to learn to
recruit the guarding reflex,
which consists of a concomitant
PF contraction with increasing
IAP, when coughing or any other
similar events. This is a focal
contraction.

The pelvic floor as a pressure
mediator for OAB rehabilitation
aims to normalize detrusor
activity via tonal changes in
the PF (see reflexes above).
Functional use of the PF to
mediate detrusor activity is
usually focal. Postmenopausal
women invariably have decreased
pelvic floor tone secondary to
atrophic changes, and therefore
in this group particularly,
prophylactic PF focused advice and
education will be of benefit. If the
inhibitory reflexes are insufficient,
harnessing S2-4 dermatomes and
myotomes may also improve the
PF contraction. It is important that
these are not used in place of, but
in conjunction with an appropriate
PF contraction

140

Dermatomes for
S2-4

Myotomes for S2-4

Saddle area (sitting
on e.g. arm of chair)

Gluteus Muscles
(buttocks gripped)

Back of legs (rub-
bing back of legs)

Adductors (knees
together)

Clitoris (manual
perineal pressure)

Plantar flexors (up
on toes)

Intrinsic foot muscles
(up on toes)

III S2-4 Dermatomes and Myotomes

The pelvic floor as a pressure
mediator for frequency/
urgency Rehabilitation aims to
differentiate urgency secondary
to decreased detrusor
inhibition as opposed to
urgency secondary to abnormal
pelvic floor firing (autonomic
up-regulation, disturbing
normal detrusor activity) as a
result of pelvic floor trigger
points.

The pelvic floor as a pressure
mediator for hesitancy
and incomplete emptying
rehabilitation aims to normalize
inappropriate PF activity
with voiding (dyssynergia).
Voluntary relaxation is essential
and this usually co-exists with
a functional inability to de-
activate abdominal bracing.

Objective Assessment

An objective assessment with
clearly defined parameters is
essential, to formulate a patient
specific rehab programme.

Posture changes over time.
Repeated incorrect posture
over time becomes habitual
progressing into a movement
pattern. Poor spinal posture
inhibits appropriate use of the
core.

Breathing habits as with
posture, become habitual. The

normal muscle ratio of breathing
is mostly diaphragmatic with a
smaller lateral thoracic component
and the least from the thoracic
apex. This becomes disordered and
the normal bellows-action of the
lungs, filling from the oxygenated
bases rather than the apices, is
compromised. The decrease in
diaphragmatic work (often due to
splinting) results in less efficient
breathing. Furthermore, the core
is loaded from the top leading to
greater dysfunction.

Abdominal wall

The abdominal wall is assessed
for skin changes, muscle tone and
integrity, and myofascial trigger
points (TPs). Many abdominal TPs

141

will refer to the abdominopelvic
area. Symptoms of pain and
discomfort include vulvodynia,
coccydynia, levator ani syndrome,
vulvar vestibulitis, dyspareunia,
vaginismus and pelvic floor tension
myalgia.

Visceral effects include
frequency-urgency syndrome,
interstitial cystitis and irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS). TPs can
exacerbate, and in extreme cases,
cause pudendal neuralgia/nerve
entrapment.

Neurological testing of
dermatomes is mandatory and
if any abnormality is detected,
warrants further testing of S2-
4.

External perineal examination

Observations of skin, mucosa and
scarring are noted. The movement
relationship between the perineal
body and PF is observed.

Internal digital examination

A digital vaginal exam is indicated
in all patients except those who
cannot give consent, and those
who are not yet sexually active.
The international guidelines are
continually being updated to
include qualitative measures. As
with all assessments, quantitative

outcomes are recorded.

Palpation - anterior, lateral and
posterior walls are assessed
for laxity and movement in
response to changes in IAR
Physiotherapists do not grade
according to POPQ although
should be familiar with the
scale. Any areas of focal
tenderness are explored as
trigger points.

Perfect Score

The subject performs a maximal

contraction against the therapist's

index finger.

P records power according to a

Modified Oxford Scale

With a brief consistent rest

between contractions, the

following are assessed:

E records endurance to a max of

10seconds at said power

R records repetitions to a max of

10 repetitions at said power and

endurance.

After 1 minute rest:

F records fast contractions to a max
of 10 before fatigue
ECT reminds us that every
contraction is timed to formulate a
patient specific formula
Therefore: 4/8/4//7 records a good
contraction, held for 8 seconds,
repeated 4 times before fatigue;

142

Score Response on fingers

= nil

Muscle bulk present/absent

1 - flicker/very weak (min)

Very weak/fluctuating

2 -weak (poor)

Increase in tension

3 - moderate (reasonable)

Lift

4 - some strength (good)

Lift + resistance

5 - strong (max)

Lift + strong resistance

IV. Muscle Testing - the Modified Oxford Scale

and after a minutes rest, 7 quick
contractions before fatigue.

Initiation and stability

The speed and control of initiation
and the stability of the contraction
are noted, along with any coupled
movement and breathing patterns.

Voluntary contraction - absent/
present

Is the subject able to perform a
satisfactory PFC?

Involuntary contraction -
absent/present

Does the PF automatically kick-in
with increased IAP?

Voluntary relaxation - absent/
present

Is the subject able to relax
appropriately?

Involuntary relaxation - absent/
present

Does the PF relax with

defaecation?

Technique

An overall assessment of the ease
of activation and appropriate co-
activation of the abdominopelvic
unit is recorded. A strong PF
contraction with breath-holding
is non-functional and therefore
needs rehab.

QOL question

A quality of life questionnaire
allows the subject to self-grade.
If you were to spend the rest of
your life with your symptoms as
they are now how would you feel?

If indicated - spine, hip/pelvic
girdle, myotomes, reflexes,
sensation, biofeedback
Behaviour

Two consecutive days (48 hour)
of behaviour are charted, be it
fluid intaket/output or food diary.
Symptoms (notably leakage) are
noted.

143

Treatment

Behavioural modifications

1. Fluid/diet management; diaries
are of great use as behaviour
sensitisers.

2. Education and counselling
are of particular importance
in identifying triggers and
breaking psychological
sensitisers.

3. Bladder training using the
PF as an inhibitor of detrusor
activity helps to decrease urge
incontinence, control urgency,
delay voiding, increase bladder
capacity and decrease nocturia.
Often, in that order!

4. Defaecatory technique teaching
correct positioning and pressure

PF Muscle Rehab

Physiotherapists specialise in
muscle function and rehabilitation.
PF rehab follows very similar
guidelines to general muscle
rehab, relying on the same
physiological responses of exercise
and overload (without fatigue)
to cause muscle hypertrophy.
All aspects of muscle function
need to addressed. Furthermore,
the specific function of that
particular component needs to be
considered e.g. fast twitch work
of the compressae urethrae. The
PF, working as it does as a low
load support (bladder inhibition,
support of pelvic viscera, support
of rectum during defaecation)
and a high load resistor (fast

QOL

Delight-
ed

Pleased

Satis-
fied

Fence
sitting

Dissatis-
fied

Un-
happy

Terrible

Score

1

2

3

4

5

6

V. QOL scale

transmission can alleviate
the signs and symptoms of
obstructed defaecation.
5. Disability management;
although the aim is a clean
dry subject, there will be times
when management of disability
is the best short-term solution;
this includes the use of pads
and occlusive devices in sports
women.

twitch activity with rapid changes
in pressure/speed), needs to be
rehabilitated through a variety
of diverse functions. A balance
needs to be found between
power and endurance training.
Pure technique needs to be offset
against functional outcome
and skill acquisition. The PF
muscles, like the fascial muscles.

144

control a number of openings,
through a range of activites, for
a variety of functional outcomes.
The challenge with the PF lies
in sensory motor integration.
Virtually all other muscle rehab
can be mediated by some form of
feedback, usually visual. The PF
and its actions cannot be seen or
mediated. Biofeedback remains an
invaluable tool for the PF specialist
physio.

Re-ed breathing

All rehab should begin with basic
body awareness and breathing.
Some form of automatic speech
e.g. counting is often beneficial
as it mediates the breath whilst
giving auditory feedback.

Re-ed PF

In the 1940s Kegel described
a basic contraction of the PF
musculature. To date, aspects such
as stablility and ease of activation
are as important as strength and
endurance. Despite enjoying a
certain popularity (notoriety?) in
the media (women's magazines),
many medical staff remain dubious
about the benefits of specific
rehab for the PF. Whilst there is
increasing emphasis on ante and
post natal care and education,
many women are not being
advised that there is something

that they can do before medication
or surgery need to be explored.
A basic rehab program would
progress as follows:

Rehab

Outcome

Assessment

Baseline

Active exercise

Muscle conditioning

Skill training

Functional

Recruitment of
muscle and reflexes

Patterning for auto-
matic function

Sensory awareness

Improved efficiency

Biofeedback, prefer-
ably EMG

Enhanced awareness

Neuromuscular
stimulation

Enhanced awareness
and function

Rehabilitation of Muscles

Not all subjects will require the full
scope of rehab.

Re-ed abdopelvic synergy

Research in the field of
orthopaedic manual therapy (OMT)
is increasingly showing coupled
relationships between the PF and
abdominal muscles. This research is
ongoing. At a glance:

Abdominal Muscle

Pelvic Floor

Transversus Abdomi-
nis (TA)

Pubococcygeus (PC)
& anterior PF

Obliques

Levator ani

Rectus Abdominis
(RA)

Puborectalis

Abdominopelvic Partners

145

These muscle pairings allow for
different types of spinal load (low
load, rotation, high load) to be
distributed evenly through the
pelvis.

Rehab any objective deficits
Biofeedback, a useful tool in any
rehab setting, is invaluable in
rehabilitation of the PF due to
the lack of other forms of sensory
feedback.

If the deficit includes a marked
motor component (<Gr3 Modified
Oxford Scale) then some form
of artificial stimulation may be
indicated.

Rehab whole body A strong PF
that cannot contract at precisely
the right time is insufficient for
daily life. The stresses, strains and
pressures of individual subjects
need to be assessed. Gyrokinesis,
Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi (amongst
others) offer exercise within
functional limits. In particular, an
excellent PF may still be insufficient
for the rigours of long distance
road running, and certain jumping
activities.

Home Exercise Programme
(HEP)

A combination of PFEs, core
work and sports specific training
will achieve a certain level of

skill acquisition. A maintenance
programme is invaluable. Many
women choose to include PF work
to improve their current sporting
function or to enhance another
form of exercise

Biofeedback

In cases of poor sensation and
proprioception, biofeedback serves
as an external mediator of internal
function, allowing the subject to
create 'movement memories'.
The age old 'jade egg' has
morphed into today's weighted
vaginal cone. Of major significance
is the conical end, which stretches
the introitus as it descends with
increased IAP, hence cueing a PF
contraction.

Pressure biofeedback and some of
the simple EMG options offer real
time imaging. Many EMG options
allow for viewing on a workout
session via recorded imaging

Electrotherapy

As with all evidence based
practices, the strength of
the research methodology is
paramount when selecting a
treatment modality. Differing
patient populations, protocols
and outcome measures make clear

146

guidelines difficult. Electrotherapy
should not be considered as a
single treatment option, but
the next level of conservative
management. Different settings
on the equipment can select for
slow or fast twitch neuromuscular
activation. EMG in combination
with NMS allows accurate feedback
of response to stimulation.

EMG biofeedback

Electromyography (EMG) is the
undisputed gold standard of
biofeedback. Ideally, it shows a
range of work over a period of
time, allowing assessment of:

• Maximum/minimum contraction

• Maximum/minimum relaxation

• Stability contraction/relaxation

• Speed of initiation/release

• Endurance and fatigue
resistance

• Concentric and eccentric control
EMG is best performed with a
shaped vaginal (or anal) electrode.
It may used across a range of PF

A neuromuscular stimulation
unit -The Myomed 932

tonal abnormalities from the up-
scaling of a PF contraction to the
down-regulating of high resting
tone.

Neuromuscular Stimulation

Where the PF has a strength of
less than Grade 3, or has very
poor sensory awareness (pudendal
nerve latencies), neuromuscular
electrical stimulation is indicated.
Electrical impulses set up an
action potential in the pudendal
nerve, causing it to fire and
contract the PF. This improves
nerve conduction, activates the
neuromuscular junction and
stimulates a muscle contraction. It
also promotes synapse formation,
protein production and muscle
hypertrophy.

Depending upon the symptoms
and aims of treatment, the
settings are selected according
to wavelength and frequency. A
classic 'fast twitch' training would
include active assisted contractions
with the machine (NMS) for speed
and strength.

A classic 'slow twitch' treatment
would be passive and would
improve sensory conduction,
resting tone and normalize bladder
reflexes.

Conclusion

The pelvic floor physiotherapist

147

has the necessary skills to assess
muscle function and dysfunction
and rehab according to sound
evidence based principles. Highly
developed palpation is needed
to differentiate between subtle
differences in tone and strength.
We are, essentially, working
blind! Special insight into the
psychological implications and
management of behaviour make
the Pelvic Floor Physio an excellent
conservative one-stop-shop.

A clear assessment, with a patient
specific programme and regular
monitoring of compliance and
motivation can yield excellent
results; better than standing in the
corner doing 100 squeezes per day,
but not contracting with a cough!

Physiotherapy for pelvic floor
disorders does not compete with
medication or surgery. It finds its
niche somewhere between patient
responsibility and doing the best
you can with what you've got.

148

Chapter 19

Investigation and management
of faecal incontinence

Douglas Stupart

Faecal incontinence is a common
condition, affecting up to 10%
of adults, with about 0.5 to 1 %
having regular symptoms that
significantly affect their quality
of life. Unsurprisingly, in view of
the social stigma attached to this
problem, it may be underreported,
and patients often present late.

It is important to understand
that faecal incontinence is a
symptom, not a diagnosis in itself,
and that incontinence is usually
multifactorial in origin. Adequate
continence requires higher mental
function, intact sensory and motor
nerve pathways, an adequate
rectal reservoir and an intact anal
sphincter complex. In addition,
the consistency of the stool and
the patient's general mobility play
an important part in maintaining
continence. For example, any
person who has sufficiently severe
diarrhoea will experience urgency
(having to 'run to the toilet'). The

same person, if he has a fractured
femur and cannot move to the
bathroom quickly enough, will,
by definition, experience urge
incontinence, despite having
completely normal anal sphincter
function. Also, a patient with
damaged sphincter muscles may
be able to cope for many years
until the injury is unmasked by
new onset diarrhoea or weakening
of the pelvic muscles with age.
The table below summarises
the common causes for faecal
incontinence.

History taking

The severity of incontinence, as
well as its impact on the patient's
lifestyle should be assessed.
Numerous scoring systems for
incontinence exist, but a simple
and useful classification is simply
to determine if the patient is
incontinent to flatus (least severe),
liquid stool (more severe), or solid
stool (most severe). One should

149

also ascertain whether the problem
is urgency or passive incontinence
(in which the patient is unaware of
the passage of stool).

The patient should be asked about
any general medical conditions,
as well as their mobility. Diabetes
and many neurological and spinal

as well as any other symptoms
suggesting bowel cancer or
inflammatory bowel disease (such
as blood or mucus per rectum or
weight loss).

Examination

Apart from a general clinical
examination, one should examine

Common causes for facial

incontinence

Anatomical site

Disorders

Anus/ perineum

Anal sphincter injury, pudendal neuropathy,
rectal prolapse.

Colon and rectum

Inadequate rectal reservoir due to e.g. Radia-
tion or inflammatory bowel disease.

Stool quality

Diarrhoea or mucus production from any
cause. This includes inflammatory bowel
disease and faecal impaction or colorectal
neoplasms with overflow diarrhoea.
Numerous medications.

Sensorimotor pathways

Diabetes, neurological disorders

Brain

Dementia, psychological disturbances

General

Impaired mobility

diseases can affect pudendal nerve
and therefore sphincter function.
Obstetric history is especially
important, particularly any
history of instrumental deliveries,
episiotomies or perineal tears.

One should ask about the patient's
bowel habits and stool consistency
with particular attention to any
recent change in bowel habits,

the perineum for signs of rectal
or vaginal prolapse and perineal
descent. Examination of the
perineum and anus may reveal a
palpable anal sphincter defect.
A digital anal examination is
important not only subjectively to
assess sphincter tone (both resting
and 'squeeze'), but also to exclude
anorectal neoplasms, and to detect
faecal loading. Where appropriate,

150

a full neurological or cognitive
assessment should be performed.

Investigation

All patients with new onset faecal
incontinence who are over 50 years
old, or who have experienced
changes in bowel habits should be
referred for a colonoscopy in order
to exclude colorectal neoplasms or
inflammatory bowel disease.

anal sphincter function. One may
also gain information about the
compliance of the rectum, and
the anorectal inhibitory reflex
(which causes the anus to relax
during defecation). It is unusual,
however, for this to change the
management of an incontinent
patient, and its usefulness is mainly
in research and in documentation
for medico legal purposes.

Endo- anal ultrasound is a non-
invasive procedure which allows
visualisation of the anal sphincters,
and is indicated in all patients
in whom anal sphincter damage
is suspected. It will identify the
group of patients with isolated
sphincter injuries (almost all of
which are due to obstetric injuries)
who may suitable for surgical
sphincter repair. The illustration
below is a typical example of an
obstetric sphincter injury involving
the anterior part of the external
and internal sphincters.

Anorectal manometry is commonly
performed to document anal
sphincter function. Measuring
resting sphincter pressures
provides information about
the function of the internal
sphincter, while the quality of the
(consciously controlled) 'squeeze'
pressure is dependant on external

Sacral nerve latency testing aims
to detect sacral neuropathy (which
is common in incontinent women,
and usually due to obstetric injury).
The test has poor inter- observer
reproducibility in most operators'
hands, and seldom gives results
that change management.

MRI scanning provides detailed
imaging of the anal sphincters.
It can not only detect sphincter
injury, but also gives information
about sphincter muscle atrophy.
At present it is not widely used in
the assessment of anal sphincter
injuries, but may become more so
in the future.

Management

Treatable specific conditions
Patients with sphincter injuries
should be referred for possible
repair. Although the long- term
results of anal sphincter repairs

151

are disappointing (about 25%
of patients will be continent for
liquid stool after 10 years), this
offers the best hope of cure in this
group of patients.
Faecal impaction is common,
especially in the elderly, and should
be treated with enemas and oral
laxatives (and manual disimpaction
under general anaesthesia if
necessary) until the rectum is
empty.

Rectal prolapse may require
surgical correction.

Bowel diseases such as colorectal
neoplasms or inflammatory bowel
disease should be treated as usual.

stop any with side effects on
gastrointestinal motility.

If the patient has loose stools in
the absence of an identifiable
colorectal pathology (on
colonoscopy), loperamide is the
drug of first choice to firm the
stool and decrease stool frequency.
Tricyclic antidepressants may
also have a role in reducing stool
frequency.

Rectal washouts may be helpful
to motivated patients. They can
empty their rectum at a convenient
time, and hopefully not soil
themselves during the intervening
time.

Conservative management

Unfortunately, most patients
with faecal incontinence do
not have curable diseases. They
should initially be treated with
conservative measures aimed
at reducing the impact of the
incontinence on the patient's
lifestyle.

Other surgical options

Patients with incontinence due
to pudendal nerve dysfunction
or surgically non- repairable anal
sphincter injuries may benefit from
sacral nerve stimulation. Short
term data for this intervention
are encouraging, but long- term
outcomes are not well known.

Bowel habits may be improved by
modifying fibre intake (some will
improve by increasing the fibre
in their diet, others by decreasing
it). Reducing caffeine intake may
decrease bowel frequency. If
the patient is receiving chronic
medication, one should try to

Neosphincter construction,
whether with a prosthetic
sphincter or gracilis muscle
transposition, are complex
operations with significant
complications. These should only
be performed in highly specialised
centres.

152

In summary, the management of
these patients remains difficult. It
is important for the patient and
the clinician to realise that the
prognosis for cure is poor, and
that treatment must be aimed at
improving long- term quality of
life.

153

Chapter 20

The use of mesh, grafts and
kits in Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Surgery

Stephen Jeffery

Failure of surgery for pelvic
organ prolapse is a reality facing
every vaginal surgeon, despite
the numerous modifications and
innovations to surgical technique
over the past century. As many
as 29% of women will require an
additional operation following
primary prolapse surgery. With
second and subsequent procedures
these figures increase.

Surgical failure may be the
attributed to a number of factors.
Surgical technique is rudimentary
and inattention to important
aspects such as tissue handling,
correct choice of suture material
and strict asepsis will have an
important impact on the outcome
of the prolapse repair. Thorough
pre-operative assessment is also
crucial in ensuring the appropriate
procedure is performed and
support in all three vaginal

compartments is addressed. In
addition there is now evidence to
suggest that factors distinctive to a
specific patient will predispose to
a recurrence of the prolapse. This
includes inherent deficiencies in
tissue quality or healing, persistent
increases in intra-abdominal
pressure and exogenous factors,
like steroid use.

Despite thorough pre-operative
assessment and meticulous surgical
technique, pelvic organ prolapse
will recur. In an attempt to
improve outcomes, gynaecologists
involved in reconstructive pelvic
floor surgery have looked to
the general surgeons, who have
employed various graft materials
for the correction of abdominal
wall hernias. A wide variety of
synthetic and biological grafts are
currently available. The synthetic
grafts have shown some promise

154

in the prevention of recurrent
prolapse but unfortunately have
a tendency to erode, extrude or
become infected. The biological
grafts have been developed to
avoid these complications. The
autografts, derived from the
patient's own tissue, unfortunately
have the disadvantages associated
with harvesting from the thigh,
vagina or abdominal wall, while
the allografts which are harvested
from cadavers, bring with them
the risk of cross-infection. The
newest development has been
the introduction of xenograft
materials, derived from animal
sources, into prolapse surgery.
These products carry a low
infection risk and, in addition,
have low erosion rates and do not
need to be harvested. There are
however reservations regarding
the longevity of these grafts.

The introduction of new prostheses
into practice has regrettably been
marketing rather than evidence
driven. It is vital that practitioners
involved in reconstructive pelvic
floor surgery are aware of the
efficacy, limitations and potential
morbidity of these products. In this
chapter we will briefly review the
failure rates following anterior,
apical and posterior compartment
surgery. In addition, we will classify

and assess the properties of both
synthetic and biological prostheses
employed in reconstructive pelvic
floor surgery and evaluate surgical
outcomes and peri-operative
morbidity following the use of
these materials.

Failure Of Primary
And Secondary
Prolapse Procedures

Anterior Compartment
(See table 1)

Ahlfelt in 1909 stated that the only
problem in plastic gynaecology
left unresolved was the permanent
cure of the cystocele. In 1913
Kelly described the anterior
colporrhaphy, which involved
plication of the urethral muscle.
A number of other procedures
advocated for the repair of the
cystocele have subsequently
evolved and these include:
vaginal para-vaginal repair,
colposuspension and abdominal
paravaginal repair. The success
rates of anterior colporrhaphy in
the management of cystoceles
range from 70-100% in
retrospective series. Much higher
recurrence rates have, however
been reported. In two randomized
control trials, Weber et al and

155

Table 1: Failure rates of anterior compartment prolapse repair

Procedure Follow-up Failure

(variably defined)

Midline fascial placation

1 - 20 yrs

3-58 %

Site-specific fascial repair

6 mths - 2 yrs

1 0-32 %

Vaginal-paravaginal repair

6 mths - 6 yrs

30-67 %

Abdominal paravaginal repair

6 mths - 6 yrs

20 %

Concomitant sling support

17 mths -4 yrs

2-57 %

Sand et a\ reported the anterior
colporraphy to be successful in
only 42% and 57% respectively.
Success rates of the vaginal
paravaginal repair for cystoceles
in various case series range from
1-33%. In addition, this procedure
has significant morbidity including
ureteric ligation, retropubic
haemorrhage and abscess
formation. Colposuspension has
a failure rate of up to 33% and
abdominal paravaginal repair fails
in up to 24%.

In addition to the traditional risk
factors, recurrence of anterior
compartment prolapse may be

related to failure of the initial
procedure to identify and repair all
support defects. Adequate support
of the vaginal apex is essential
in ensuring the longevity of an
anterior compartment procedure.

Posterior Compartment

(See table 2)

Reports of recurrence after
rectocele repair range from 7%
to 67%, depending on the type of
operation. Rectocele repair can be
approached vaginally, transanally
or abdominally. The vaginal
procedures include: site -specific
repair, fascial plication and levator
plication repair. For the vaginal

156

Table 2: Failure rates of posterior compartment prolapse repair

Procedure

Failure

Persistent POP
symptoms

Dyspareunia

Levator plication

10-20 %

<20 %

27-50 %

Midline fascial
plication

7-13 %

7-20 %

4.2 %

Site-specific fascial
repair

10-32 %

Trans-anal repair

30-67 %

17-30 %

Laparoscopic
rectocoele repair

20 %

20 %

approach, failure rates are quoted
at between 7-32%.

Midline fascial plication during
the vaginal approach seems to be
more successful than site specific
repair. The transanal repair, the
colorectal surgeon's route of
choice, has reported failure rates
of up to 67%.

Apical Prolapse

The vaginal apex, be it uterus or
post -hysterectomy vaginal cuff,
is the keystone of pelvic organ
support. Appropriate attention

to apical support is crucial in
the prevention of posterior and
particularly anterior vaginal wall
prolapse.

A number of procedures; including
the vaginal, abdominal and
laparoscopic approaches are
employed for apical prolapse.
Objective failure rates vary from
24% to 47% in various studies
on sacrocolpopexy, bilateral
iliococcygeus fixation and
sacrospinous fixation.

157

Classification And
Properties Of Graft
Materials

Prostheses may be derived from
synthetic materials, biological
tissues or mixed synthetic and
biological grafts. The biological
grafts include autologous grafts,
which are derived from the
individual's own tissues, allografts
from human donor tissue and
xenografts from an animal origin.
Recently, a mixed synthetic
and biological graft has been
produced. The pelvic reconstructive
surgeon needs a working
understanding of these grafts.
Important aspects that should be
considered when selecting a graft
include the inherent strength,
surgical handling, its reaction
within human tissues and potential
morbidity. The properties of the
ideal graft for pelvic reconstructive
surgery are listed in table 3.

Table 3: Properties of the ideal
graft

Biocompatible

Inert

Hypoallergenic

Hypoinflammatory

Resistant to mechanical stress

Sterile

Non-carcinogenic

Affordable

Accessible

Easy to handle

Flexible

Synthetic Grafts

Synthetic grafts are durable, easy
to handle and readily available.
They do not require harvesting as
with the autografts and they do
not carry the infection risks of the
allografts.

Over the past few years, there
has been extensive research and
development in an attempt to
identify the properties of an
ideal synthetic prosthesis. A
number of different grafts have
been manufactured, each with
its own properties and in-vivo
responses. Mesh prostheses have
been used to reinforce abdominal
hernia repair by general surgeons
for a few decades now. When
placing mesh through a vaginal
incision, additional factors need
to be considered in prosthesis
selection. The risk of infection
is four times higher if placed
vaginally rather than abdominally.
The sexual function of the vagina
also needs to be retained and

158

the mesh should therefore be
soft with smooth edges. Erosion
is the greatest risk of synthetic
mesh and infection of the graft
is the most common cause of this
complication, however it may also
result from inadequate vaginal
closure, superficial placement
of the graft or vaginal atrophy.
Injection of local infiltration,
which increases tissue volume, may
also increase the risk of extrusion
by placement of the graft at an
insufficient tissue depth. The pelvic
reconstructive surgeon therefore
has an important responsibility -
since the incorrect choice of mesh
and inappropriate technique
will doom a woman to possible
dyspareunia, erosion, chronic pain
or recurrence of the prolapse.

Classification of Synthetc Mesh
(See table 4)

Synthetic mesh prostheses were
classified by Parvis Amid into 4
Types, based on filament type
and pore size. Based on data
drawn from a number of animal
and clinically based studies, the
following factors need to be
considered when selecting a
synthetic prosthesis.

Material Type

Absorbable and non-absorbable
materials have been used

with varying success rates.
The absorbable mesh used is
almost exclusively Polyglactin
910 (Vicryl). Recently, concerns
have been expressed regarding
the longevity of the absorbable
prostheses and the trend is now
towards the use of non-absorbable
products. The most common
non-absorbable materials used
include polypropylene, polyester,
polytetrafluoroethylene, and
polyamide. (Table 5) The in-vivo
tissue response to polypropylene
appears to be the most favourable.
Comparative studies have shown
the inflammatory response
elicited by this product to be
significantly lower than with
the other materials and it also
appears to have a higher resistance
to infection. It is the general
surgeon's mesh of choice and
it is now used in more than 1
million hernia repairs annually.
It therefore appears to be the
ideal selection when choosing a
synthetic material for pelvic floor
repair.

Weave and Porosity

Synthetic mesh can be woven,
knitted or non-woven and non-
knitted. Microscopically, a woven
mesh would resemble a wicker
basket whereas a knitted mesh
would look like a fishing net.

159

Table 4: Classification Synthetic Grafts

Type Component Pore Trade Name Fibre Type

Size

Type 1
Totally

Macroporous
Pore size>75um

Polypropylene

Macro

Prolene

(Ethicon, Summerville. NJ)

Monofilament

Polypropylene

Macro

Marlex (Bard, Cranston, Rl)

Monofilament

Polypropylene

Macro

Atrium

(Atrium, Hudson, NH)

Monofilament

Polypropylene

Macro

Apogee, Perigree (AMS)

Monofilament

Polypropylene

Macro

Prolift ( Gynecare)

Monofilament

Polypropylene

Macro

Posterior IVS (Tyco)

Monofilament

Type II
Totally
Microporous
Pore size <10

Expanded
PTFE

Micro

Gore-Tex (Gore, Flagstaff,
AZ)

Multifilament

Type III

Macroporous
with

multifilaments
or microporous
component

Polyethylene

Micro/
macro

Mersilene (Ethicon,
Summerville, NJ)

Multifilament

Polypropylene/

Polyglactin

910

Macro

Vypro

(Ethicon, Summerville, N J)

Mono/Multi

Polyglactin
910

Macro

Vicryl

(Ethicon, Summerville, NJ)

Multifilament

Type IV
Submicronic
pore size
Pore <1um

Polypropylene
sheet

submicro

Cellgard (not used in
gynae surgery)

Monofilament

Non-woven and non knitted
mesh resembles a piece of plastic
sheeting. The structure determines
the pore size of the mesh. Pore size
is an extremely important property
of any prosthesis since it influences
its susceptibility to infection, the
flexibility of the graft and the
ability of the graft to become
incorporated into the surrounding
tissue.

The mean diameter of leukocytes
and macrophages is 9-15 microns
and 16-20 microns respectively
while the average bacterium is
<1 um in size. Selection of a graft
with a pore size that allows access
to the leukocytes is therefore
crucial in preventing sepsis and its
sequelae.

160

Table 5

Material Type Example

Polyglactin 910

VICRYL

Polypropylene

PROLENE

GYNECARE GYNEMESH* PS

GYNECARE TVT

MARLEX,

URETEX

SURGIPRO, IVS

SPARC

Polyester

MERSILENE

Polytetrafluoroethylene

GORETEX

Polyamide

NYLON

Pore size also determines
angiogenesis and in-growth of
collagen, which allow adequate
incorporation of the graft into
the native tissue. When these
processes are suboptimal, the
mesh will become encapsulated
rather than incorporated into the
tissues. A pore size of more than
75um is considered to be ideal
for integration of the graft into
the pelvic tissues. Therefore, a
knitted mesh with pores measuring
>75um, as in the Amid Type I,
is considered to be the optimal
configuration to prevent infection,
promote integration and allow
flexibility and softness. Table
6 summarises the percentage
relative porosity of a number of
the commonly available mesh
prostheses.

Filament type

Mesh materials are either
mono- or multi- filamentous.
Multifilament grafts are made of
multiple braided strands whereas
in monfilament prostheses the
individual strands of the mesh
are solid. As with pore size, the
interstices between the strands
play an important role in a graft's
predisposition to infection. A
distance of less than 10 microns
between the strands will allow
the passage of small bacteria (<
1 micron) but not leukocytes and
hence predispose to infection.
[40] Monofilamentous grafts,
e.g. Amid Types I and III, are
monofilamentous and therefore
considered to be a better choice.

Weight and flexibilty

The risk of erosion or vaginal

161

irritation is also likely to be
influenced by the stiffness or
flexibility of the graft. The latter
is influenced by both the fibre and
pore size. More recently, emphasis
has been placed on the weight,
expressed in milligrams per square
centimeter, of synthetic mesh
prosthesis. A graft with a lower
weight will be softer and more
flexible, both desirable qualities
for a vaginal prosthesis. Again
Type I mesh appears to have the
greatest flexilbity with the newer
Type lb lightweight mesh having
the greatest softness and flexibility

Shrinkage

Another clinically relevant property
of the synthetic grafts is shrinkage.
Excessive contraction of a mesh
leads to erosion and extrusion.
Most grafts will shrink by about
20% and enough excess should
therefore be left when using these
materials.

Biological Grafts
(see table 7)

Erosion rates of up to 25% have
been reported for the synthetic
grafts. Biological grafts have
therefore been used and industry
continues to develop newer grafts
derived from biological tissues, to
overcome this problem.

Autologous grafts

Autologous grafts may be
harvested from the patient's
vagina, fascia lata or rectus fascia.
The latter options, however, are
associated with increased peri-
operative morbidity. Walter et
al reported an incidence of
4% haematoma or seroma and
5% cellulitis following fascia
lata harvesting in 71 women. In
addition, 13% of the patients
reported dissatisfaction with the
technique as a result of pain,
cosmesis or both. In addition,
in women with prolapse, these
tissues may be inherently weaker
than normal, predisposing to
fragmentation and surgical failure.

Allografts

Allografts include cadaveric
derived fascia lata, dura mater
and acellular dermal matrix
(AlloDerm®). These materials
have the advantage of avoiding
the morbidity of harvesting
autologous tissue and a
significantly reduced risk of graft
erosion. Fascia lata and dura
mater allografts are harvested
using an aseptic technique and are
then soaked in antibiotics. The
grafts are cultured and screened
for HIV, Hepatitis B and C and
T-Lymphocyte virus type 1 . The
graft is then freeze-dried and

162

sterilized using gamma irradiation
in keeping with FDA guidelines.
The freeze-drying process leaves
a significant amount of cellular
material on the prostheses and
there is still a small risk of prion
or HIV transmission. A newer
processing technique, the solvent-
drying Tutoplast process, involves
soaking the graft in sodium
hydroxide followed by peroxide.
This reduces the risk of viral and
prion transmission significantly
and provides an acellular collagen
matrix graft. In the older -type
allografts, where there is residual
antigenic expression, a 'host versus
graft' type immunological reaction
may occur resulting in autolysis
of the graft and surgical failure.
Surgical failure may also arise
due to intrinsic deficiencies in the
strength of the graft.

The newer acellular dermal matrix
(AlloDerm®) is derived from
human skin tissue. In the USA,
the tissue is supplied by tissue
banks approved by the American
Association of Tissue Banks (AATB)
and FDA guidelines. The FDA has
classified it as banked human
tissue. The graft is prepared
by a process that removes the
epidermis and the cells that lead to
tissue rejection and graft failure,
without damaging the matrix. This

matrix provides a template for
revascularization, cell repopulation
and normal tissue regeneration, a
similar principle to the xenograft
collagen matrices.

Xenografts

The most widely used xenografts
are porcine and bovine in origin.
They include porcine dermal
grafts (Pelvicol ), small intestinal
submucosa (SIS) and bovine
pericardium (Veritas ). They lack
the ethical implications associated
with cadaveric grafts and are
more readily available. The idea
behind the use of these prostheses
is to provide a stable three-
dimensional structure that ideally
attracts host cells and acts as an
interactive scaffold for host cell
migration, neovascularization, and
tissue remodelling. Various animal
studies have however shown that
this does not always occur and the
implanted graft materials may also
undergo either encapsulation with
graft fibrosis or breakdown with
loss of support. The manufacturing
processes of the graft prior
to implantation may alter its
structural integrity and the host
cell may identify the implant as a
foreign body rather than a matrix
for remodelling.
There are also the religious
implications of using porcine and

163

Table 6: Relative porosity of various synthetic meshes

GYNEMESH PS

65,6

MERSILENE

62,7

PROLENE

53,1

GYNECARE TVT

52,1

MARLEX

49,3

IVS

37,7

SURGIPRO

37,7

bovine products. This is, however,
open to individual interpretation
and the women should obtain
counsel from her local religious
leader.

The two most commonly employed
xenografts include SIS® and
Pelvicol®. Pelvicol® is a porcine
dermal collagen. It comprises
fibrous acellular collagen and
its elastin fibers that are cross-
linked by hexamethylene - di-
isocyanate to resist degradation
by the collagenases. It is durable
and easy to work with and readily
available. Recently the product
has been modified (Pelvisoft)
after a number of reports have
suggested that this graft may
predispose to encapsulation rather
than integration. This has involved
changing the structure to a netting
-type configuration rather than
a solid sheet. Another porcine
dermal collagen product (InteXen )
claims to have up to 25% more

strength than pelvicol.

Bovine pericardium (Veritas ) is
another acellular product used in
prolapse surgery. Recently fetal
bovine pericardium (Cytrix ) has
been marketed and is reported
to have no risk of transmission of
prion disease.

Table 9 and10 summarises some
of the differences between the
various grafts.

Evidence For The Use
Of Graft Materials In
Prolapse Surgery

There is regrettably very little
robust evidence to either support
or refute the use of these grafts
in vaginal prolapse surgery. It is
principally based on observational
case series and case-control
studies with limited long-term

164

Table 7: Classification of Biological Mesh

Xenograft

Porcine

Small Intestinal

Submucosa

SymphaSIS (8-ply)

SurgiSIS (4-ply)

StrataSIS

(Cook, Letchworth, UK)

Porcine dermal
collagen

Pelvicol

Pelvisoft

(Bard, Cranston, Rl)

InteXen (AMS)

Bovine pericardium

Veritas

Braille biomedical Industria
Commercio E representacoes S/A
Cytrix (TEI Biosciences)

Allograft

Dura Mater

Fascia Lata

Suspend (Tutoplast) Mentor Corp Santa
Barbara California

Acellular Dermal
Matrix

AlloDerm

Lifecell, Branchberg , NJ

Axis

Mentor Corp Santa Barbara California

Duraderm (Boston Scientific)

Replform (Boston Scientific)

Autologous

Rectus Sheath

Fascia Lata

Vaginal Mucosa

outcome data. Many of these are
retrospective studies and report
on relatively small numbers
of patients. Only a few small,
randomized control trials have
been performed. In addition, in
many of the studies the patient
cohort was heterogenous with
significant confounding variables.
For example, many of the studies

included women with both
primary and recurrent prolapse
in the same cohort. Some reports
compare a mixture of women who
had procedures in addition to graft
insertion, e.g. vaginal hysterectomy
and repair of prolapse in other
compartments. This would have
impacted on outcomes including
recurrence and erosion rates. For

165

example, it has been shown that
performing a vaginal hysterectomy
at the same time as anterior
insertion of a graft will increase
the risk of erosion.

Criteria used to define recurrence
also vary greatly between
studies, with some authors using
validated objective data and
others, unvalidated subjective
observations.

There is therefore an urgent need
for large, multicentre, randomised
control trials with strict inclusion
criteria and results based on
objective observations and
validated questionnaires.

Anterior
Compartment

Synthetic Materials
(See tables 11 to 13)

Prosthetic reinforcement has been
employed in women undergoing
anterior colporrhaphy for both
primary and recurrent cystocoele.
Most of the studies on grafts and
cystocele repair have investigated
the type 1 polypropylene mesh.
Julian [45] was the first to
publish a clinical study evaluating
cystocele repair with prosthetic
re-enforcement in 1996. In this.

the only randomised controlled
trial on Type I monofilament
polypropylene mesh (Marlex), 24
women with recurrent cystocoeles
(Grade 1) were allocated to
anterior colporrhaphy alone or
reinforcement with the graft.
At 24 month follow-up, the
success rate was 100% in those
who underwent prosthetic
reinforcement, compared
to only 66% in those who
underwent anterior colporrhaphy
alone. Despite this significant
improvement in outcomes in the
group having the mesh it was
coupled with a very high erosion
rate of 25%.

There have only been an
additional three randomised
control trials looking at the use of
synthetic mesh in anterior repair
and these have all been done on
absorbable mesh Polyglactin 910
(Vicryl) with conflicting results.
Sand performed a study on 161
women with cystocoeles more than
grade 1. At 12 months of follow-
up, those undergoing fascial
plication alone had a recurrence
rate of 43%, compared to (p =
0.2) 25% in those women whose
repairs were re-inforced with vicryl
mesh. Koduri et al also found
that the addition of a Polyglactin
graft improved outcomes with a

166

recurrence rate of 1 % in those
with the prosthesis compared with
13% in those without. However,
in a prospective RCT by Weber
[14], 140 women were assigned
randomly to three different
techniques of anterior repair:
standard anterior repair, standard
plus polyglactin and ultralateral
anterior colporrhaphy. After

There have been a large number
of non-randomised studies of
polypropylene mesh in anterior
compartment prolapse reporting
recurrence rates ranging from
0-8.4% and erosion rates up to 9%.
There are, however difficulties in
interpreting and comparing these
data. The techniques differed
significantly between the studies.

Table 8

MIXED

Monofilament

Pelvitex (Bard)

Monofilament

Macro

BIOLOGICAL and

polypropolene

Avaulta Plus

SYNTHETIC

mesh coated
with hydrophilic
porcine collagen

Monofilament

Ugytex

Monofilament

Macro

polypropolene

(Sofradim

coated with

France)

atelocollagen,

polyethelene

glycol and

glycerol

follow-up of 83 women (76%)
at a median of 23.3 months,
the author concluded that the
three techniques for anterior
colporrhaphy provide similar
symptomatic and anatomic cure
rates and that the addition of
polyglactin 910 did not confer
any advantage over standard
anterior repair. It should also be
mentioned that in the Weber and
Sand studies, recurrence rates were
particularly high in all the groups.

ranging from surgeons who
sutured the graft firmly in placed
to a tension -free approach. In
addition, different criteria were
used to define recurrence and
duration of follow-up also varied
significantly.

Combined absorbable and non-
absorbable prostheses (eg Vypro:
Polyglactin 910 / Polypropylene)
were introduced in an attempt to
further reduce mesh complications.
The results using this graft have

167

Table 9: Biological responses to the different graft materials

Prolene

SIS (4 ply)

Pelvicol

Structural integrity

Fully intact at 1 year

Not recognisable at
60 days

Partially recognisable
at 1 year

Collagen Deposition
At one year

Dense, fibrous
organised

Thin layer fibrous
collagen

Thin layer fibrous
collagen

Neovascularisation

Numerous and wide
calibre

Smaller and fewer

Smaller and fewer

Inflammatory resonse

Mononuclear

High level response to

1 year

Mononuclear and
polymorponuclear
with low level
response at 1 year

Mononuclear and
polymorponuclear
with low level
response at 1 year

however been disappointing.
It is hypothesized that the
polyglactin component provokes
an inflammatory reaction leading
to erosion and poor healing
with resultant recurrence of the
prolapse. Denis et al used Vypro
to treat prolapse in 106 women.
50 % of the women experienced
a recurrence after a mean follow-
up of only 7.9 months. Moreover,
there was a very high erosion rate
of 40%.

(Tutoplast) in recurrent cystocele in
153 women. Failure was defined
as prolapse of Stage 2 or more
(Aa or Ba more than or equal to
-1). At 12 month follow-up there
was no difference in recurrence
between the women who had the
patch (21 %) compared with those
that did not have a patch (29%).
As with many of these studies,
most of women had concomitant
prolapse procedures and this may
have confounded the results.

Biological materials
(Tables 14 and 15)

Again there is very little robust
evidence for the use of biological
grafts in anterior compartment
prolapse.

Gandhi et al have recently
completed a randomised control
trial investigating the use of
solvent dehydrated fascia lata

Other observational studies
looking at fascia lata have
reported good outcomes but this
was dependant on the criteria used
to define recurrence. Kobashi used
the outcome measure of prolapse
more than Grade 1 and reports
a failure rate of 1.5% after 12
months. Powell however found
objective recurrence (>Grade 1)
of 19% versus only 2% subjective

168

Table 10: Properties of Biological vs Synthetic Graft Materials

Biological

Synthetic

Tensile strength

+

+++

Antigenicity

+++

+

Tissue remodelling

+++

+

Erosion

+

+++

Cost

++++

++

Consistency of graft strength

+

+++

Availability

-

+++

Infection

+

+++

Stretch

+

+++

recurrence (ie no symptoms of
bulge). There was no reported
erosion with these grafts which
was very encouraging.

More recently, attention has
turned to the use of xenograft
materials in the anterior
compartment. From the
observational studies, they appear
to have low reported erosion
rates but variable recurrence
rates. Recurrence rates for porcine
dermis grafts (Pelvicol ®, Bard ) are
between 4 and 19%. The human
dermal collagen grafts appear
to have poorer outcomes than
their porcine counterparts. It is
also noteworthy that of none of
the 21 women that were sexually
active in demons' study reported
any adverse outcomes. There is

one preliminary report of a RCT
evaluating the efficacy of Pelvicol®
in primary cystocele repair. No
significant difference has been
detected but follow- up is still only
6 months. The long term results
of this and other current studies
on the xenografts in the anterior
compartment are eagerly awaited.
Mixed evidence to support the use
of grafts in women with primary
cystocele.

Grafts should not be used to
compensate for poor surgical
technique.

Prosthetic reinforcement appears
to improve short term outcomes in
recurrent cystocele.
Expert opinion would support the
use of grafts in recurrent cystocele
and in primary cystocele at high
risk for recurrence.

169

Summary

Posterior Compartment

Synthetic materials (Table 17)
There has been a justified
reluctance to employ prosthetic
material in the posterior
compartment because of the risk
of erosion and concerns regarding
dyspareunia. A disturbing increase
in dyspareunia in 64% of women
after posterior repair using prolene
mesh was recently reported by
Milani et al. Despite very good
anatomical outcomes, the authors
feel that the prolene prosthesis
should be abandoned.

In another study, de Tayrac et

al performed a sacrospinous
suspension with insertion of
polypropylene mesh in 26 women
with rectoceles. Cure was 92%
after 22 months of follow up but
again this was coupled with a high
erosion rate of 12%. One of the
13 sexually active women reported
increased dysparunia.

Adhoute et al [52] reported on the
outcome of 52 non-consecutive
women undergoing trans-vaginal
rectocele and or cystocele repair
using polypropylene mesh
(Gynemesh®). Depending on
the circumstances, the operation
comprised anterior or posterior
mesh implantation, hysterectomy
and TVT insertion. After a mean

Table 11:

Anterior compartment grafts

Synthetic materials

Randomised control Trials Polyglactin 910

Study Prosthesis N Study Type Follow- Recurrence Erosion
Type Up

Koduri
2000

Polyglactin
910

125

Prospective
randomised

12 months

13% no mesh
1 % mesh

Weber [
(2001)

Polyglactin

910

(Vicryl)

140

RCT

Mean 23.3
months

70% (no mesh)
58%

ultralateral
54% mesh
(non significant)

0%

Sand
(2001)

Polyglactin

910

(Vicryl)

161

RCT

Recurrent

21

Primary 140

12 months

25% (with
mesh)
43%

(no mesh)
p=0.02

0%

170

Table 12:

Anterior compartment grafts

Synthetic materials

Randomised control Trial Polypropylene

Study

Prosthesis Type

N

Study Type

Follow-Up

Recurrence

Erosion

Julian
(1996)

Marlex

(Typel Monofiliament

polypropolene)

24

Prospective
(recurrent)

24 months

0% (mesh)
34%
(no mesh)

25%

follow-up of 27 months, the
anatomical success was 100% in
those who had rectocele repair
and there was no reported erosion.

Other studies of synthetic mesh
in the posterior compartment are
small [69,70] and one revealed a
very high erosion rate.

Recurrence rates following
posterior repair using synthetic
mesh do appear to be low,
however erosion and dysparunia
are common and the pelvic
surgeon should take this into
consideration when choosing
to insert a graft in the posterior
vaginal compartment.

Biological Materials
(See table 18)

The newer xenografts have a
much lower tendency to erode and
fibrose. There have been a number
of recent promising reports on
their use in rectocele repair.
Kohli and Miklos in 2003, described

rectocele repair in 43 women using
a dermal allograft to augment site-
specific fascial repair. [72] No major
complications were reported.
Thirty-three women were available
for follow-up (mean 12.9 months)
with a 93% surgical cure rate
defined by POP-Q evaluation.
Moore also reports favorable
cure and low erosion rates in a
study looking at 195 women who
received either a porcine or human
dermis graft during a posterior
repair. [73] A further case series
of 188 women, by Chaudhry et al
[74], employed a human dermal
allograft (AlloDerm®) for posterior
repair. They showed some very
promising results after 18 months
of follow up. There was a 5%
recurrence and a 0.5% erosion
rate.

Most recently Altman et al
assessed quality of life and
anatomical outcomes following
posterior repair using a collagen
allograft. There were significant

171

improvements in several variables
associated with quality of life and
no change in sexual function or
dypareunia rates. The anatomical
outcomes were however
unsatisfactory.

The biological grafts appear to
have significantly lower rates
of erosion and dysparunia than
polypropylene mesh when used
in the posterior compartment.
However anatomical efficacy
remains to be validated.

Apical Prolapse

Abdominal or laparoscopic
sacrocolpopexy appears to be
the procedure of choice for vault
prolapse. It restores the normal
vaginal axis whilst maintaining
vaginal capacity and coital
function.lt has the lowest
recurrence rate. A number of
prosthetic materials have been
used for this technique. Success
rates range from 73-100% at a
follow-up interval of 1-136 months
(Table5) [31-33]. Because the mesh
is being inserted abdominally, the
risk of infection is significantly
lower compared to the vaginal
route. The majority of the studies
reported in the literature involve
the use of synthetic prostheses.

with mesh or suture complications
occurring in 0-12%. Erosion rates
vary depending on the type of
synthetic material used with the
lowest seen with Polypropylenes
and the highest with Goretex.
In a review of 592 operations,
Iglesia reports an overall revision
and removal rate of 2.7%. Sacral
osteomyelitis and bladder erosion
were rare complications. The
procedure involves the placement
of numerous sutures around
the vaginal vault and this may
predispose to tissue ischemia and
resultant prosthetic erosion.

There have been several small
observational studies on
laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy
showing short-term outcomes
and mesh complication rates
comparable to the abdominal
approach.

Due to the low erosion rates
and extensive experience with
the synthetic materials, the
biological grafts have not been
widely employed in abdominal
sacrocolpopexy. In addition
there are concerns regarding
the longevity of the biological
grafts. Fitzgerald in 1999
reported on a series of 67 women
who underwent sacrocolpopexy
using donor cadaveric fascia

172

Table13:

Anterior compartment grafts

Synthetic materials

Non Randomised Trials Polypropylene

Study

Prosthesis
Type

N

Study Type

Follow-
Up

Recurrence

Erosion

Adhoute

Gynemesh

52

Case series

27

5% cysto

3.8%

2004

+ hyste

(28%)

entero

(9.5%)

recto

(28%)

0% recto

cysto

Flood

Marlex

142

Retrospective

36

0%

2.1%

(1998)

(Typel

Monofiliament
polypropylene)
Tension free

(primary)

months

Natale

Polypropylene

138

recurrent

18

2.2%

_

(2000)

(Tension free)

months

Bader

Tension-free

40

Observational

16.4

_

7.5%

(2004)

monofilament
polypropylene
mesh

Yan

Synthetic

30

Observational

6.7

3%

7%

(2004)

mesh secured
through
obturator
foramina

(2-12)

Korushnov

Polypropylene

45

RCT

<12

Not

14%

(2004)

months

significant
(trend
towards
better cure
with mesh

Dwyer

Polypropylene

64

Retrospective

6-52

6%

Not

2004

(Atrium)

review

mean 29

stated
but 9%

for total
cohort

de Tayrac

Polypropylene

87

Case Series

9-43

8.4%

8.3%

2005

84
follow-up

mean 24

Eglin

Polypropylene

103

Case series

18

3%

5%

2003

Transobturator
subvesical mesh

173

lata. Recurrent vault prolapse
was recognised in 8% of women
at a follow-up interval of 6-1 1
months. Absence or attenuation
of the prosthesis was observed
in the 7 patients requiring re-
operation. This clearly questions
the use of this allograft for use
in sacrocolpopexy. Culligan et al,
used an acellular human dermal
graft for ASC in 32 patients with
follow-up of 1 year. In contrast
they report no post-operative
complications and acceptable
outcomes with this newer
generation allograft.

Overview on complications
when using mesh in POP
surgery

There remains very little Grade 1
evidence for the use of mesh and
grafts in POP surgery and more
data is emerging regarding the
complications. Sexual function is
often not reported in the literature
and those studies that do look at
this aspect of vaginal function,
usually confine it to a number
of short sentences with very
little questionnaire-based data.
There are, however, concerning
reports on a rise in dyspareunia
following repair with synthetic
mesh. Milani et al report a 63%
increase in the number of women
reporting dyspareunia following

posterior repair and 20% increase
following anterior repair. In a
further study reporting on the
use of polypropylene, Salvatore
et al describe an increase in
dyspareunia from 18 to 78%.
Zhongguo et al also report a 64%
incidence of dyspareunia following
transobturator polypropyle mesh
insertion.

Role of the Mesh Kits

Pelvic organ prolapse is often
associated with a global weakness
of support structures and in
order to replace this tissue,
the new mesh kits have been
developed. Three companies have
launched these devices and they
are all available in South Africa.
They consist of an anterior and
posterior system. The anterior
system consists of a central mesh
portion and two lateral arms on
each side that are placed through
the obturator foramina. The
posterior kit has a central mesh
portion with bilateral arms that
go through the buttock, traverse
the ischiorectal fossa and enter the
pelvis via the illiococcygeus muscle
or sacrospinous ligament. The first
of these devices to be launched
was the Prolift System, marketed
by Johnson and Johnson. American
Medical Systems, AMS, have
developed an anterior mesh system

174

Table 14:

Anterior compartment grafts
Biological grafts
Fascia lata grafts

Study Prosthesis N Study Type Follow- Recurrence Erosion
Type Up

Kobashi
(2000)

Cadavaric
Fascia lata

132

Observational
study

12.4
(6-28)

1.5%

(cystocelee)
9.8% (apical)

0%

Groutz

Solvent-
dehydrated
cadaveric
fascia

21

Observational

20.1

0%

0%

Powell
2004

Fascia lata

58

Case Series

24.7
12-57

Objective

19%

subjective

2%

Cystocele

4%

enteroceles

12%

symptomatic

rectoceles

Not
mentioned

Gandhi
2005

Solvent
dehydrated
fascia lata

162
76

patch
78 no
patch

RCT

12

21% patch
29% no
patch
NS

0%

called Perigee and a Posterior
Apogee system. Bard have also
developed a system called the
Avaulta. The Posterior Avaulta
has two arms on either side. The
superior arm is inserted in a similar
fashion to the Posterior prolift and
Apogee but in addition, it also
has two inferior perineal arms.
The Avaulta Solo is polypropylene,
similar to the J&J and AMS
product but the Avaulta Plus is a
polypropylene coated with porcine

collagen.

These products would appear to be
a revolutionary step to improving
outcomes in POP surgery. They
have, however, been implemented
with very little data to support
their use. At the time of writing,
there were six studies on the
Gynecare Prolift system. (See table)
The maximum follow up time in
these studies was seven months.
Failure rates ranged from 4-12%.

175

Table 15:

Anterior compartment grafts

Biological grafts

Human and porcine dermal grafts

Study

Erosion

N

Study Type

Follow-
Up

Recurrence

Erosion

Salomon

Porcine
skin

collagen
implant

27

Observational

14
(8-24)

19%

Gomelsky

Porcine

70

Retrospective

24

Grade 2 -

1 Superficial

2004

dermis

65 sling

chart review

8.6%

vaginal

grafts

50 BIF

Grade 3
-4.3%

wound
separation
conservative
Mx

demons

Acellular

33

Observational

18

41 %

64%

dermal

study

objective

sexually

matrix

6 recurrent II

3%

active -

(Alloderm)

24 prim +
Recur III
3 Grade IV

subjective

no problems
no erosion

Oestergard

Pelvicol

31

Observational

6

13%

Not

2004

(Porcine
Dermis)

Cystocele
>Gr2

(Grade 2)

mentioned

Arya

Porcine

Porcine 72

Retrospective

Cadaveric

Cadaveric

None

2004

dermal vs

Cadaveric

repeated

22

69%

cadaveric

45

measures

(19-28)

Porcine

dermal

study

porcine

4%

graft

18(7-22)

Meschia

Pelvicol

RCT primary

6.5

Optimal Ba

5 %

2004

cystocele

months

73% vs65%
P0.86

defective
healing

The AMS product features in two
publications with varying failure
rates from 7-13%.
These devices are associated with
major complications including
bladder and bowel injury. There
is no data on sexual function
pre or post surgery and this fact
should deter any wise and prudent
surgeon from using these products

in a sexually active patient. These
devices should only be inserted by
a skilled pelvic floor surgeon who
has selected the case appropriately.

176

Table 16:

Anterior compartment grafts

Synthetic materials

Randomised control Trial Polypropylene vs Acellular dermal collagen

Study

Prosthe-

N

Study

Follow-

Ana-

Sym-

Erosion

sis Type

Type

Up

tomical
Failure

tomatic
Failure

Cervigni

Pelvicol®

72

RCT

8.8 (Pel-

68%

2.8%

2.7%

vs

vicol)

Pelvicol

Pelvicol

Pelvicol

Prolene

8.1

58%

8%

8.3%

soft®

(Prolene

Prolene

Prolene

Prolene

soft)

soft

soft

soft

Table 17:

Posterior Prolapse
Synthetics

Study

Prosthesis
Type

N

Study
Type

Follow-
Up

Recur-
rence

Erosion

Adhoute

Gynemesh

52

Observa-
tional

Mean 27
months

Cystocele
5%

Rectocele
0%

3.8% (cys-
tocele)

Stanton

Mersilene

29

Observa-
tional

14

0% of
stage II
and III

3%

De Tay-
rac**

Gynemesh

26

Observa-
tional

22.7

8%

12%

177

Table 18:

Posterior prolapse
Biological Materials

Study

Prosthesis
Type

N

Study
Type

Follow-
Up

Recur-
rence

Erosion

Kohli and

Dermal

43

Prospective

12.9

7%

Miklos

allograft

descriptive

months

follow-up

(2003)

in 33

(on POP-Q)

Moore

Porcine

195

Retrospec-

Porcine

Porcine

no

2004

dermal

porcine

tive chart

14.2

1%

graft vs

100

review

Human

Human

human

20.9

Human

dermal

95

9.6%

graft

Chaudhry

Alloderm

188

Case series

18

5%

0.5%

2004

3-32

erosion
0.5 %
abcess

Altman

Collagen

33

Prospective

12

39%

none

2005

allograft

case series

objective
Significant
improve-
ment in
QOL scores

178

Table 19: Abdominal sacrocolpopexy - operative outcome and peri-
operative morbidity.

Author

N

Prosthesis

Follow up
(months)

Success

Complications

Rust [1975]

12

Mersilene

9-42

100%

Nil

Symonds[1981]

17

Teflon

60-360

88%

Nil

Addison[1985]

56

Mersilene

6-126

89%

Nil

Timmons

163

Mersilene

9m- 18
years

99%

Nil

Drutz[1987]

15

Marlex

3-93

93%

1 sepsis mesh
removal

Baker[1990]

59

Prolene

1-45

86%

Nil

Snyder[1991]

147

78 Gore -Tex
65 Dacron

60

73%

4 mesh erosions

Creighton[1991]

23

Mersilene

3-91

91%

2 sinuses removal
mesh

Van Lindert[1993]

61

Gore-Tex

15-48

?

1 erosion and
fistula

Valaitis[1994]

43

Teflon

3-91

91%

1 sepsis removal
mesh

Khohli[1998]

57

47 Marlex

10 Mersilene

2-50

100%

5 mesh erosions
2 suture erosions

Fitzgerald[1999]

67

Fascia lata

12

91%

6 fascial breakdown

Fox[2000]

29

Teflon

6-32

100%

1 sepsis removal
mesh

Winters[2000]

20

Marlex

6-27

100%

Nil

Visco[2001]

273

269 Mersilene
4 Gore-Tex

1-87

7

15 erosions

Culligan 2001

32

Acellular hu-
man dermal
graft

12

satisfac-
tory

nil

Rocha
2003

32

Abdominal
Fascia

12

97%

3 % Dysparunia

Lindeque
2002

262

Dura mater
(18)
Goretex (244)

16

98.9%

3.8%

179

Table 20: Results of Prolift

Study

N

Follow-Up

Recurrence

Ero-
sion

Other Complications

Fatton

110

3 months

4.7%

4.7%

Bladder injury 1
Haematomas 2

Dalenz

41

7 months

Vault 5%
Cystocele 2%

2%

Perirectal haematoma 1
Erosion 1

Altman

123

2 months

Anterior 13%
Posterior 9%
Total 12%

Pelvic organ perforation

3.2%

Bladder injury 1

Rectal injury 1

Neumann

100

Not stated

1%

3%

Bladder injury 1

Lucioni

12

7 months

8% Enterocele

Abdel-fatteh

289

Not Stated

5%

Table 21: Results of Apogee/perigee

Study

N

Follow-
Up

Recurrence

Erosion

Other
Complications

Garuder-Burmester

110
16 vault

13 m

7% of anterior
No vault

3%

None

Shek

46

13%

180

Chapter 21

Management of Third and
Fourth degree tears

Stephen Jeffery

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries
(OASI) are unfortunately a
common event associated with
vaginal delivery. If these third
and fourth degree tears are
not recognised and managed
appropriately, these women are
at high risk for developing a
number of significant long-term
complications including faecal
incontinence, perineal pain and
dyspareunia.

Incidence

The incidence of OASI varies. 40
000 women in the UK develop
faecal incontinence related to
sphincter injuries in the first year
after birth. The RCOG guideline
reports an incidence ranging
from 0.6-9%, depending not only
on obstetric practice but also on
the vigilance exercised in their
detection. A large number of OASI
are not clinically apparent but
are demonstrated at ultrasound
either immediately post-partum

or at follow up. These so-called
occult sphincter injuries have been
shown to occur in up to 35% of
primiparous women.

Importance

Anal spincter tears are associated
with significant morbidity. Failure
to recognise and repair an anal
sphincter injury is one of the top
four reasons for complaint and
litigation arising in labour ward
practice in the UK. The sequelae
of OASI affect women not only
physically but psychologically as
well. Johanson et al report that
only one third of women suffering
with faecal incontinence sought
help.

Risk factors

A large amount of work has been
done in an attempt to more clearly
define risk factors for developing
an OASI. Hudelist et al looked at
5044 women delivering vaginally.
They report that 4.2% of these

181

patients developed a sphincter
defect. Risk factors emerging
included low parity, prolonged
first and second stage, high birth
weight, episiotomy and forceps
delivery. They analysed the same
data, applying multivariate logistic
progression analysis and only high
birth weight and forceps delivery
emerged as risk factors. Dandolu
et al later defined this risk using
odds ratios, reporting the risk
associated with forceps to be
OR 3.84 and for vacuum delivery
2.58. Occiptoposterior postion
also appears to be associated
with sphincter injury, with Wu et
al reporting a fourfold increase
compared to occipitoanterior
positions. The relationship
between episiotomy and sphincter
injury remains unclear. Overall,
50% of third degree tears are
associated with episiotomy and
midline episiotomy is 50 times
more likely to result in third
degree tear. The greater the angle
the episiotomy makes with the
vertical, the smaller the risk of
sphincter injury.

Recognition and diagnosis

All women following vaginal
delivery must be thoroughly
examined with a systematic
inspection of the vulva, vagina
and perineum. If any injuries are

detected a rectal examination
must always be performed. If the
patient has had a instrumental
delivery or if a large episiotomy
was performed, she should be
examined by an someone who
is experienced in the diagnosis
of sphincter injury. If in doubt,
it is useful to ask the women to
contract her anal sphincter while
performing gentle PR examination
and any loss of tone will suggest
and underlying sphincter defect.
Another useful manoeuvre is to
"pill-roll" the sphincter with the
forefinger in the rectum and the
thumb in the vagina. This will
enable the clinician to detect
any loss of sphincter bulk - again
suggesting an underlying third or
fourth degree tear. If there is still a
significant amount of uncertainty,
it would be prudent to perform
the repair under anaesthesia.

Classification of injuries

The nomenclature of OASI has
been dogged with inconsistency
for many years. Sultan and Thakar
looked at every Obstetric Text
in the RCOG library and17% of
the books made no mention of
a classification for OASI and of
those that did, 22% classified a
sphincter injury as a second degree
tear. Recently consensus has been
achieved and internationally OASI

182

are now classified into four grades.
The standardization of sphincteric
injury has made it easier to
compare data on outcomes and
repair techniques.

The anal sphincter comprises:

External Anal Sphincter Sphincter
(EAS)

• Subcutaneous

• Superficial

• Deep

Internal Anal Sphincter (IAS)

• Thickened continuation of
circular smooth muscle of bowel

The classification of tears is as
follows:

First degree: laceration of the
vaginal epithelium or perineal skin
only.

Second degree: involvement of
the vaginal epithelium, perineal
skin, perineal muscles and fascia
but not the anal sphincter.

Third degree: disruption of the
vaginal epithelium, perineal skin,
perineal body and anal sphincter
muscles. This should be further
subdivided into:
3a: partial tear of the external
sphincter involving less than 50%
thickness.

3b: complete tear of the external

sphincter.

3c: internal sphincter torn as well.

Fourth degree: a third degree
tear with disruption of the anal
epithelium.

Rectal mucosal tear (buttonhole)
without involvement of the anal
sphincter is rare and not included
in the above classification.

Repair of Third and
Fourth degree tears

General Principles

All third and fourth degree
tear repairs should be done
in an operating theatre. This
recommendation is made for
a number of reasons. Firstly, in
theatre one has access to proper
anaesthesia. A general or spinal
anaesthetic makes it much easier
to inspect the tissues and to
adequately visualise the tear. The
sphincter is usually more relaxed
which makes it easier to retrieve
if the ends are retracted. In
theatre it is possible to position
the patient in a more appropriate
way. The surgeon also has access
to better lighting and proper
instrumentation and often it is
easier to get an assistant if the

183

procedure is being performed in
theatre.

Inexperience of the operator
significantly increases morbidity
and may also predispose to
litigation.

Overlap or end to - end repair
of the Sphincter.

Repair of the sphincter following
an acute obstetric injury has
undergone a significant change
over the past decade. Traditionally,
the repair was done by an end-
to-end approximation of the torn
sphincter. The outcomes following
acute repair of sphincter injuries
are poor with some studies
reporting faecal incontinence
rates of up to 37%. (range 15-
59%). Many women later require
secondary repair of the sphincter.
This is usually done by a colo-
rectal surgeon and an overlapping
technique is employed in the
majority of cases. The reported
success rates with an overlapping
technique are better, with
continence outcomes between
74 and 100%. For this reason,
Monga and Sultan performed the
first pilot study on an overlapping
technique for acute OASI. In this
trial, using matched controls, they
report significantly improved
outcomes with incontinence rates

being reduced from 41% to 8%.
In addition to recommending
an overlap technique, Monga
and Sultan also performed a
separate repair of the internal
anal sphincter and this may also
profoundly impact on outcomes.
A number of RCT's comparing
end-to-end and overlap repair
have been performed. In a trial by
Fernando et al 24% of women who
had an end-to-end repair reported
faecal incontinence compared
to no cases of incontinence
in the overlap group. A vastly
underreported complication of
OASI is long term perineal pain.
In the Fernando trial, 20% of the
women who had an end-to-end
repair reported this troublesome
symptom compared to none in the
overlap group. A recent Cochrane
systematic review addressed the
issue of overlap versus end-to-end
repair of OASI in 279 women. They
report a statistically significant
lower incidence in faecal urgency
and lower anal incontinence score
in the overlap group. The overlap
technique was also associated
with a statistically significant
lower risk of deterioration of anal
incontinence symptoms over one
year.

Specifics of repair

The anal mucosa is repaired with

184

interrupted vicryl 3-0 sutures
with the knots tied in the lumen.
The torn muscle, including the
internal and external sphincter,
should always be repaired with
a monofilamentous delayed
absorbable suture such as PDS
or Maxon 3/0. The internal
anal sphincter should first be
identified and then repaired using
an interrupted suture. It is not
possible or necessary to overlap
the IAS and it is adequate to suture
this muscle using an end-to-end
technique. It is often difficult to
identify the IAS, but usually it is
paler in colour than the external
sphincter.

After the sphincter has been
repaired, the vaginal skin is closed
much like one would close an
episiotomy, making every effort to
reconstruct the perineal body.

Every woman should be given
antibiotics and stool softeners
following the repair.
Women sustaining third and fourth
degree tears should always be
offered a follow up appointment
to assess them for faecal
incontinence, perineal pain and
dyspareunia.

If it is a Grade 3A tear, ie less than
50% of the EAS is torn, the muscle
is repaired using and end-to end
technique. If it is a 3B, an overlap
technique is probably better and
this is done as follows: The ends
of the torn muscle are identified
and clamped using Allis forceps.
A double breasted technique is
used to approximate these ends.
It is important to identify the
full length of the sphincter and
this can stretch for up to 4-5cm.
Whether an end-to-end or overlap
technique is used, between three
and four sutures are inserted and
these are tied following insertion
of all the sutures.

185

Chapter 22

Management of Urogenital
Fistulae

Suren Ramphal

Urogenital fistulae typically
involve a communication between
the genital tract (vagina, cervix,
uterus) and the urinary tract
(ureter, bladder, urethra). They
are described by their anatomical
location (Table: I) and can be
classified according to organ
involvement, i.e simple fistulae
(which involves 2 organs) or
complex fistulae (involving 3
or more organs) (Table: II). The
majority of urogenital fistulae
occur between the vagina and
the bladder (vesicovaginal) with
urethrovaginal and ureterovaginal
occurring less frequently.
Communication between the
lower urinary tract and the uterus
or cervix are rare (Figure: 1)

The aetiologies of urogenital
fistulae are shown in Table III.

Aetiology And
Pathophysiology

In well resourced settings,
urogenital fistulae occur as a
consequence of surgery, most
commonly following abdominal
hysterectomy and more recently
after laparoscopic hysterectomy.
In most series, gynaecological
surgery is responsible for 70-80%
of urogenital fistulae with the
remainder following urological,
vascular and colorectal procedures.
In a study of 303 women with
urogenital fistulae from the Mayo
Clinic, 82% of cases were caused by
gynaecological surgery, followed
by obstetric related fistulae in 8%,
6% related to pelvic radiation and
4% following trauma.

Most vesicovaginal fistulae (VVF)
follow abdominal hysterectomy
for benign conditions such as
uterine fibroids, endometriosis

186

or pelvic adhesions, with only
a few occurring after vaginal
hysterectomy. High risk intra-
operative scenarios for fistula
formation include excessive
bleeding at the angles of the
vault, pelvic adhesions, a previous
caesarean section leading to
difficulty in separating the bladder
peritoneum from the uterus, and
surgery for pelvic malignancies.

Fistula formation is postulated
to result from unrecognized
direct injury to the bladder or
ureter, devascularization of
tissue leading to ischaemia and
avascular necrosis, and inadvertent
suture placement between the
bladder and vaginal cuff leading
to erosions. Uncommon causes
for urogenital fistulae include
vaginal foreign bodies, trauma
or a bladder calculus. Radiation
induced fistulae , especially
radiotherapy for cancer of the
cervix, may develop as a result of

TABLE I: Urogenital Genital
fistulae classified by anatomical
location

Vesicovaginal

Vesicouterine

Ureterovaginal

Ureterourerine

Urethrovaginal

progressive endarteritis obliterans
leading to tissue fibrosis and
necrosis. Most radiation associated
VVF develop 6 months after
completion of therapy. There are
reports of cases presenting many
as five years after therapy. It is
imperative to investigate these
women for a possible recurrence
of the malignancy. Closure of
the fistulae in these cases is
particularly technically difficult and
urinary diversion is the procedure
for these patients, despite the
guarded results of this operation.
Fortunately, recent advances in
radiation therapy have significantly
decreased the occurrence of
fistulae.

Ureterovaginal fistulae occur most
commonly with laparoscopic or
abdominal hysterectomy, usually
when removing the adnexae.
The pelvic portion of the ureter
is most susceptible to injury at
a number of places including
the infundibulo-pelvic ligament
when the ovarian blood supply is
ligated, at the cardinal ligament,
as the ureter passes beneath
the uterine vessels and at upper
vagina as the ureter crosses to
enter the bladder base. The
mechanism for ureterovaginal
fistula formation is similar to that
of VVF - unrecognized surgical

187

TABLE II: Classification
according to organ involvement

Simple Fistulae

Vesicovaginal

Vesicouterine

Ureterovaginal

Ureterourerine

Urethrovaginal

Complex Fistulae

Uretero-vesico-vaginal

Uretero-vesico-uterine

Vesico-vagi no-rectal

TABLE III: The Aetiology of
Urogenital Fistulae

Surgery

Obstetrical

Trauma

Malignancy

Radiation

Infection

Foreign body

injury or ligation and tissue
necrosis following ischaemia or
inflammation.

Urethrovaginal fistulae may
occur following surgery for
urethral diverticulae, anterior
vaginal prolapse, stress urinary
incontinence and more rarely,
radiation therapy.

In under-resourced countries,
obstetrics is the leading cause of
genitourinary fistulae usually as
a result of prolonged obstructed
labour causing ischaemic necrosis.
The exact prevalence is unknown
but they are particularly common
in Africa and South Asia. The
level at which the fetal head
becomes impacted during labour
determines the site of injury and
type of fistula. For example, if
the impaction occurs at the level
of the pelvic inlet, the VVF may
be intracervical, if the impaction
occurs at a lower level, the urethra
will most likely be involved. The
urethra is involved in 28% of cases
of obstetric related fistula with
total urethral destruction in 5%
of patients. Vesico-uterine fistulae
contributed to 10.5% (4/42) of
cases in a review of 42 patients
with obstetric fistulae in Durban.

Symptoms

Symptoms of fistulae vary
depending on the aetiology. A
women who presents with fluid
leaking from her vagina following
pelvic surgery, should be suspected
to have a fistula unless proven
otherwise. Classically, patients
complain of a continuous or
intermittent watery vaginal

188

discharge that smells like urine.
Vesicovaginal and ureterovaginal
fistulae may present in the
first few days postoperatively.
Fistulae that occur as a result
of tissue ischaemia, infection,
devascularization and necrosis
typically present later between
day 5 and 21. In these women, a
foul smelling or persistent vaginal
discharge often precedes the urine
leakage. Febrile episodes are not
common with uncomplicated VVF.

Ureterovaginal fistulae are also
not infrequently associated
with febrile episodes. If there is
extravasation of urine into the
abdominal cavity, patients may
present with anorexia, nausea,
vomiting, increasing abdominal
pain, abdominal distension and
postoperative ileus. Flank pain
should alert the physician not only
to a possible ureterovaginal fistula,
but also to ascending infection
complicating the urinary tract
injury.

As a general rule, women who
later develop an uncomplicated
VVF, recover uneventfully from the
initial surgery, the only complaint
being a clear watery discharge that
smells like urine. The amount of
urine leakage varies depending on
the size and location of the VVF,

but most have continuous leakage
independent of the body posture.
On the other hand, patients
with ureterovaginal fistula have
intermittent but more profuse
episodes of urinary leakage.

Women who develop obstetric
fistulae, usually present with
urinary leakage approximately one
week following delivery (range day
5-21). There is usually a history of
a prolonged and difficult labour
resulting in a stillbirth. Unlike
iatrogenic surgical fistulae which
are characterised by a discrete
injury, the pathophysiological
effects of obstructed labour
are wider and can result in a
broad range of injuries including
neurapraxia, lower bowel
dysfunction, muscle injury and
even rectovaginal fistula. The term
"field injuries" has been coined to
refer to this range of damage.

Examination

Patients with urogenital fistulae
may be relatively well but often
they will present with signs and
symptoms of acute illness. Fever,
anorexia, nausea, and vomiting
are suggestive of acute sepsis and
peritonitis, and require prompt
admission and investigation. If

189

the patient is not ill, evaluation
and diagnostic investigation
as an outpatient is acceptable.
Other important findings include
costovertebral angle tenderness,
associated with ureteric injuries
or infection of the upper urinary
tract; and abdominal tenderness
which is suggestive of an
intraperitoneal urine collection or
sepsis.

The pathognomonic finding is
the observation of urine leaking
into the vagina on speculum
examination. The use of a Sims
speculum with downward pressure
on the posterior wall facilitates
examination of the anterior
vagina and apex. The majority
of fistulae following abdominal
hysterectomy are located near the
vaginal apex and it is therefore
difficult to determine clinically
whether the origin of the leakage
is the bladder or ureter. Following
pelvic examination, the bladder
should be always catheterized and
a urine sample sent for microscopy
and culture. The bladder is then
filled with methylene blue and the
diagnosis confirmed by observing
the leakage of dye-stained urine
into the vagina. If a ureteric fistula
is suspected, the patient should
ingest 200mg oral phenazopyridine
( pyridium) 3 hours before

examination. A tampon is then
placed in the vagina and again
methylene blue is instilled into
the bladder via the catheter. If
the tampon turns orange, a
vesicouretric fistula is diagnosed.
If the tampon turns both blue and
orange, then a combined VVF and
vesicouterine fistula should be
suspected.

Investigations

The aims of the investigations
are as follows:-

1 . To confirm the discharge is urine

2. To establish that the leakage
is extraurethral rather than
urethral

3. To locate the site of leakage

4. To diagnose multiple fistulae

Biochemistry and
microbiology

Initial laboratory investigations
for urogenital fistula include:-

1. Urine for culture and microscopy
to rule out infection

2. FBC - to assess the haemoglobin
and white cell count (infection)

3. Urea and electrolyte - assess
urea and creatinine level which
may be elevated with ureteric

190

injuries
4. If the vaginal discharge is
suspicious of urine, then it
can be analysed for its urea
and creatinine content. If the
urea and creatinine level of
the discharge is greater than
the serum values, it is highly
suggestive that the discharge is
urine

Imaging

findings are equivocal, contrast
enhanced CT of the pelvis will aid
in the diagnosis of vesicouterine
fistula.

Retrograde pyelography is a
reliable way to identify the exact
site of a ureterovaginal fistula.
Positive pressure urethrography
may be needed to diagnose
urethrovaginal fistulae, especially
those following the insertion of
midurethral tapes.

Cystography is not very helpful
if a clinical diagnosis of a
VVF has been made. It will,
however, confirm a suspected
vesicouavaginal, vesicouterine
or complex fistula. It is good
practice to image the upper
urinary tract in all patients with
VVF. An intravenous urography
(IVU) is usually done to exclude
a ureterovaginal fistula and
ureteric obstruction. When the
ureter is involved at the margins
of a VVF, an IVU will demonstrate
a standing coloumn of contrast
within the ureter, extravasation of
contrast around the distal ureter
or gross hydronephrosis. With
suspected ureterovaginal fistula,
the diagnosis is confirmed by a
dilatated ureter with extravasation
of dye at the distal end and a
normal cystogram. If the IVU

Examination Under
Anaesthesia And
Cystoscopy

Careful examination under
anaesthesia and cystoscopy
is required to determine the
following:-

1 . The site of the fistula and the
proximity of the fistula to the
ureteric orifii and bladder neck

2. To exclude intravesical sutures or
other foreign bodies (stones)

3. To assess the bladder mucosa.
In under-resourced countries
schistosomiasis and tuberculosis
should be excluded

4. To assess the mobility of the
vaginal tissue and confirm
surgical access if planning
vaginal repair

191

5. To inspect the fistula margins
and consider biopsy if one
suspects a malignancy or
infection (schistosomiasis,
tuberculosis)

6. To assess whether graft tissue
will be required for definitive
surgery. With bladder neck
and proximal urethral fistulae,
there may be circumferential
loss of the urethral sphincter
mechanism. Usage of a Martius
graft at definitive surgery will
have beneficial effects with
regard to assisting in urethral
continence.

At cystoscopy, it may be necessary
to digitally occlude the fistula
to achieve distension. If the
tissues are necrotic or there is
substantial slough or induration,
then definitive surgery should be
delayed.

Preoperative
Management

Patients should always be well
informed, especially during
the waiting period from fistula
diagnosis to repair. The carers
should always be sympathetic
to these women's needs which
should always include offering
them incontinence pads, to

prevent soiling of their clothes
and to enable them to function
socially. Silicone barrier creams
should be applied to their vulval
skin and perineum to protect
them from urinary dermatitis. The
preoperative use of oestrogen
vaginal cream is recommended in
postmenopausal women. These
creams change the vaginal flora
to aerobic bacteria thus improving
the integrity of the vaginal wall
and promoting vaginal healing.
Counselling is pivitol in the
management of these patients.
It is important to remember that
many of these women are healthy
individuals who entered hospital
for a routine procedure and by
developing a fistula have ended up
with worse symptoms than their
original complaints.

Surgical Management

Timing Of Repair

The timing of the fistula repair is a
controversial issue. Surgical success
should not be compromised by
operating too early. Advances in
antibiotic therapy, suture material
and surgical techniques have
encouraged many surgeons to
attempt early surgical repair which
if successful avoids the prolonged
morbidity and discomfort of

192

delayed repair. Several published
series support early attempts
at repair. If surgical injury is
recognized within the first 24
hours postoperatively, immediate
repair can be attempted,
provided the injury site is not too
oedematous and extravasation of
urine into the tissues has not been
too extensive.

Small VVF discovered within 7 days
of surgical injury can be treated
with continuous bladder drainage
to facilitate spontaneous closure.
Although the optimal duration of
drainage has not been established,
it is reasonable to allow drainage
for at least 4 weeks. If closure is
not achieved, then a concomitant
ureterovaginal fistula should be
excluded and surgery planned 12
weeks later.

With larger fistulae, definitive
repair should be planned at 3
months. This period will allow for
the oedema and inflammation to
resolve and improve the likelihood
of a successful repair.

With obstetric related fistulae,
most surgeons suggest waiting
a minimum of 3 to 4 months to
allow the slough to separate and
the induration to settle, before
embarking on definitive surgery.

During this period, any evidence
of cellulitis should be vigorously
treated and the patient should
maintain optimal nutrition and
fluid intake to encourage healing.
Recently, Waaldijk has advocated
surgery as soon as the slough
separates, but more studies are
needed to justify this approach. 12

With previous surgical failures, it is
prudent to wait at least 12 weeks
before re-attempting to repair
the fistula. Surgery for urogenital
fistula should only be undertaken
by surgeons with appropriate
training and skills since the first
attempt will give you the best
results.

Route Of Repair

Surgeons involved in fistula
management should be skilled in
both the abdominal and vaginal
approach and should have the
surgical expertise and versatility
to modify their technique based
on the individual case. When
access is good and the vaginal
tissue sufficiently mobile, the
vaginal route is the preferred
option (less invasive, less morbidity
than abdominal approach). The
abdominal route is favoured if the
vaginal access is poor, the fistula
is close to the apex , and the
ureter is in close proximity to the

193

fistula edge (anticipate ureteric
reimplantation.) As a general
rule, most surgical fistula arising
from abdominal surgery require an
abdominal approach, perhaps with
the help of a skilled urologist.

Instruments And Sutures:-

Instruments that make your
surgery easier include:

1. Fine scalpel blade on a number
7 holder

2. Potts-De Martel scissors and a
Chasser Moir 30 degree angle-
on-flat scissors

3. Lone star ring retractor for
vaginal approach

4. Skin hooks to put the tissue on
torsion during dissection

5. Turner - Warwick double curved
needle holder

Absorbable sutures, including
polyglactin (vicryl) 2-0 sutures on a
25 mm heavy taper cut needle are
preferred for the vagina and a 2-0
vicryl suture on a round body for
the bladder. For ureteric implants,
a 4-0 polydiaxonone (PDS) on a 13
mm round bodied needle is the
suture of choice.

Dissection

Great care must be taken over
the initial dissection. The fistula
should be circumscribed in the
most convenient orientation. A

longitudinal incision should be
made around the urethral or
midvaginal fistula while vault
fistulas are better managed by
a transverse elliptical incision.
Because of the scarring, dissection
close to the fistula is usually
undertaken with a scalpel or
Potts-De Matel scissors. It must be
appreciated that the actual defect
in the bladder may be larger
than the visible defect because of
the scarring and fibrosis. Wide
mobilization of the bladder should
be performed so that the repair
is tension free. Caution should
be exercised to avoid excessive
bleeding and this is achieved by
dissecting in the correct plane.

Principles Of Fistula Repair

1 . Excision of all scar tissue around
the fistula tract

2. Wide mobilization of the
bladder

3. Tension free layered closure

4. Interposing tissue between the
2 organs

5. Obtaining a water tight tension
free closure

6. Good haemostasis

7. Complete bladder drainage
postoperatively

8. Prophylactic antibiotics

Vaginal Repair

1. Circumferential incision is

194

made around fistula using a
size 12 blade. Initial incision
can be aided by inserting a
foleys catheter through the
fistula, inflating the bulb and
by exerting traction on the
catheter. It allows for access to
the fistula.

2. Sharp dissection around the
fistula edges.

3. The bladder is separated
from the vaginal wall and
fully mobilised. Potts-De
Matel scissors are used for the
dissection.

4. The fistula edges are trimmed.

5. The bladder is sutured
transversely. The first 2 sutures
are inserted at the angles
using vicryl 2-0. Additional
sutures are inserted towards
the centre from both angles
with interrupted closure. The
sutures are usually placed 3 mm
apart (less interference with
vascular supply as compared to
continuous suturing).

6. Avoid penetration of the
bladder mucosa during suture
insertion and ensure that the
knots are secure and cut short.

7. The second layer of sutures
should invert the first layer. This
is also done with interrupted
suturing.

8. Confirm a water tight seal by
instilling methylene blue dye

into the foley catheter.
9. Close the vaginal epithelium
with interrupted suturing
along the vertical plane to
avoid overlapping of the suture
repair between the bladder and
vagina.

Abdominal Approach

This can either be transvesical or
transperitoneal.

Transvesical

This approach is extraperitoneal.
The cave of Retzius is entered and
a vertical incision on the dome of
the bladder is made. The fistula
is identified and the ureters are
stented. A vaginal probe is inserted
into the vagina and the fistula
site is elevated. The fistula tract
is circumscribed and the bladder
is mobilised with the Potts De-
Matel scissors. The vagina (VVF)
or uterus (vesicouterine) is sutured
with interrupted vicryl through
the bladder and the bladder
is then sutured at 90 degrees
(interrupted vicryl) so that the
repair sites do not overlap. The
initial bladder cystotomy is then
repaired with continuous vicryl. A
disadvantage of this route is that
no interposition graft can be used.

Transperitoneal

With this approach, the peritoneal

195

cavity is entered.
Indications are:-

1. complex fistulae

2. if the surgeon anticipates that
a ureteric implant may need to
be performed (because of close
proximity of the fistula site to
the ureter)

3. large/high fistula where there is
poor vaginal access

With this approach, the cave of
Retzius is entered. A midline split
of the dome of the bladder is
performed and extended to the
fistula site resulting in a racquet
shaped incision. The bladder is
mobilised and the fistulous tract
excised. Layered closure is then
performed, first closing the vaginal
epithelium and then the bladder.

Interposition Grafts

At times, fistula repair may require
additional tissue to provide
support, bring in new blood supply
to the area and to fill dead space.

With the vaginal approach, one
can use either a Martius graft or
the Gracillus Muscle Graft. With
the Martius graft, the labial fat
pad is passed subcutaneously to
cover the vaginal repair. This is
particularly useful in bladder neck

urethral fistula repair to provide
bulk to maintain competence of
the closure mechanism.

With the abdominal approach,
an omental pedicle graft may be
utilised to improve success. It is
created by dissecting the omentum
from the greater curve of the
stomach and rotating it down into
the pelvis on the gastro-epiploic
artery. It is then secured to the
repair site.

Postoperative Management

As a general principle, the
best postoperative cure is a
good intraoperative surgery.
Furthermore, nursing care is
critical during this period as poor
nursing care can undermine what
has been achieved by the surgical
team. Important principles are as
follows:-

1. Good fluid intake
(approximately 3 litres/24 hours)
and strict input and output.

2. Good bladder drainage. Free
drainage is critical as bladder
clots may obstruct the outflow
resulting in distension of the
bladder and disruption of the
repair site.

3. The ideal is to have both a
suprapubic and urethral catheter
with abdominal approaches and
a urethral 3 way catheter with

196

the vaginal approach. Following
surgery, continuous bladder
irrigation is instituted. Once
the urine clears out with the 3
way foleys, a spigot is used to
occlude the irrigation channel
and the catheter is left in situ.
With the Abdominal approach,
the suprapubic is removed and
the foleys is strapped to the
inner thigh to avoid kinking or
dragging of the catheter.

4. Prophylactic urinary antiseptic
viz nitrofurantoin 100mg nocte
is used as long as the patient has
the catheter in situ.

5. Occasionally stool softeners
are prescribed if the patient is
constipated.

6. Patients are advised to be on
bed rest during the period of
catheterization and educated on
catheter care.

7. With surgical fistula, 14 days of
free drainage is recommended
while with obstetric fistula, 25
days is recommended.

postsurgery.

FIGURE I: Types and locations of
common urogenital fistulae.

A: Vesicouterine, B:
Vesicovaginal, C: Urethrovaginal

On removal of the catheter,
patients are counselled that they
should void more frequently
initially and gradually increase
the periods between voids
aiming to be back to normal by 4
weeks postoperatively. Tampons,
douching and penetrating sex must
be avoided for at least 3 months

197

Chapter 23

The role of laparoscopy in
urogynaecological procedures

Peter de Jong

Introduction

Ever since the introduction of high-
fidelity endoscopic equipment
in the field of gynaecological
surgery in the early 1990's workers
have performed traditional
gynaecological procedures
using minimally invasive routes.
Generally, the endoscopic
approach allows the surgeon the
advantages of:

• Excellent surgical view

• Magnification of anatomical
structures

• Bloodless dissection

• Precise haemostasis, less blood
loss

• Lower incidence of adhesions

• Less post operative pain, shorter
hospitalization

• Quicker return to normal
activities

• Small incisions, cosmetic scars

• Lower incidence of infection

There is good evidence that the
management of, for example,
ectopic pregnancy, is superior using
the endoscopic route, but this is
not necessarily true for the use
of laparoscopy in other fields of
gynaecological surgery.

It is important that any surgeon
using endoscopic tools:

• Be properly trained in the
procedure

• Enjoy the use of quality
equipment

• Have recourse to urological and
surgical back-up

• Have an excellent appreciation
of pelvic anatomy

• Counsel the patient fully in the
spheres of surgical complications
and the need for emergency
laparotomy, otherwise the
traditional approach is
preferable

This chapter will consider the

198

role of endoscopy in the fields of
prolapse and incontinence surgery.

Prolapse Surgery

Apical Prolapse

Laparoscopy to repair apical
prolapse is well described and has
been practiced for many years. The
procedure is identical to traditional
sacrocolpopexy with the use of
mesh, and offers the patient
the advantages of endoscopy as
mentioned above.

However the operation is
technically highly demanding and
requires extensive experience in
endoscopic surgery. The advanced
endoscopist completes the
procedure in around an hour, and
in the hands of expert surgeons
such as Wattiez, the outcome
enjoys comparable results to
standard open sacrocolpopexy. In
terms of apical repair, at present
the ICS benchmark is still for
conventional open sacrocolpopexy
- but in the hands of trained
expert endoscopists, laparoscopic
sacrocolpopexy using mesh is
a well described acceptable
alternative procedure.

Anterior Compartment Prolapse

First described by Vancaille in the

early 1990's, in experienced hands
the para vaginal repair may be
performed laparoscopically by
means of the placement of sutures
with perfectly acceptable results.
However it is not for the beginner,
since suturing in this area is
difficult laparoscopically.

Similarly, the use of mesh in the
laparoscopic management of
anterior or posterior compartment
prolapse is well described, with
acceptable long term outcomes,
provided the surgeon is well
trained and highly experienced in
this art.

Urinary Stress
Incontinence Surgery

The use of the laparoscopic
Burch procedure was described
in the 1990's with placement
of sutures similar to the open
route. However it is difficult to
correctly place the sutures by
laparoscopy, and the endoscopic
Burch was beyond the reach of
most endoscopists. Moreover its
use was overshadowed by the
introduction in the late 1900's of
the mid urethral tapes, which were
technically far easier to perform.

Long term results seem to be

199

equivalent to those of the
traditional Burch, with equivalent
cure and complication rates.

Nowadays the laparoscopic Burch
procedure is confined to surgery
by laparoscopic experts when
performing prolapse operations,
when the patient has concomitant
stress incontinence.

Traditional Burch laparotomy
procedures are similarly confined
to cases where the patient
undergoes a laparotomy for other
reasons (for example, hysterectomy
for large fibroids) and has
concomitant stress incontinence.

200

Chapter 24

Suture Options in Pelvic
Surgery

Peter de Jong

Introduction

The gynaecologist is presented
with a bewildering array of sutures
and needles for pelvic surgery and
wound closure. The article aims
to narrow the choice to a few
logical options that will meet most
surgical requirements.

Wound Healing

Healing begins as soon as an
incision is made, when platelets
are activated and release a
series of growth factors. Within
minutes, the wound displays
a mild inflammatory reaction
characterised by the migration of
neutrophils which are attracted
by degradation products of fibrin
and fibrinogen. During this time,
and until the proliferative phase
of healing begins, wound strength
is low. Macrophages peak at 24
hours and produce lactate. This
promotes the release of angiogenic

endothelial chemo-attractants
and increases the rate of collagen
synthesis by fibroblasts. By the fifth
day, fibroblasts are found in high
numbers and the formation of a
microcirculation begins. After the
second week, although collagen
synthesis and angiogenesis are
reduced, the pattern of repair is
reorganized and the strength of
the wound increases, although
never to its original level. Collagen
synthesis and lysis are delicately
balanced. During the first 12-14
days the rate at which wound
strength increases is the same,
irrespective of the type of tissue.
Thus, relatively weak tissue, such
as bladder mucosa, may have
regained full strength, whereas
fascia will only have recovered
by 15%. Moreover, it takes three
months for an aponeurosis to
recover 70% of its strength and
it probably never regains its full
strength.

201

Factors Affecting Healing

Many factors influence healing,
including age, nutrition,
vascularity, sepsis and hypoxia.
Some medical conditions, such
as diabetes, malnutrition, use of
steroids, uraemia, jaundice and
anaemia effect healing adversely.
Another factor of relevance to the
gynaecologist is the menopause,
since it has been shown that
oestrogen accelerates cutaneous
healing by increasing local
growth factors. Postmenopausal
women having vaginal surgery
are therefore advised to use
pre-operative topical oestrogen.
Cigarette smoking can also affect
healing adversely.

With regard to infection, the
main source of contamination
is endogenous, with only about
5% of infections being airborne.
Most gynaecological operations
are clean (0-2% rate of infection)
or clean/contaminated when the
vagina is incised (2-5% rate of
infection). Other surgical factors in
infection include local trauma from
excessive retraction, over-zealous
diathermy and operations lasting
more than two hours.

Surgical Principles

Basic surgical principles influence
the healing process, and the
best sutures are useless unless
meticulous attention to surgical
detail is observed. There are a
number of surgical guidelines
which promote better outcomes of
surgery:

The incision

A thoughtful surgeon plans the
length, direction and position of
the incision in such a way as to
provide maximal exposure and
a good cosmetic result, with a
minimum of tissue disruption.

Maintenance of a sterile field and
aseptic technique.
Infection deters healing, and the
surgeon and theatre team must
observe all proper precautions
to avoid contamination of the
operative field. Laparoscopic
surgery affords a favorable
environment to prevent
contamination by extraneous
debris and airborne infection.
Gentle handling of tissue and
precise dissection causes less tissue
damage, with resultant fewer
adhesions, and reduced post
operative pain.

202

Dissection Technique

A clean incision with minimal
tissue trauma promotes speedy
healing. Avoid careless ripping of
tissue planes and extensive cautery
burns. Atraumatic tissue handling
is the hallmark of a good surgeon.
Pressure from retractors devitalizes
structures, causes necrosis and
traumatizes tissue and this
predisposes to infection. Swabs are
remarkably abrasive, and if used to
pack off bowel, must be soaked in
saline.

tissue (secondary to cautery) to
reduce the likelihood of scarring ,
adhesion formation and infection.

Foreign bodies

Avoid strangulating tissue with
excessive surgical sutures. These
represent a significant foreign
body challenge and reduce tissue
oxygen tension. Certain sutures
such as chromic gut, provoke more
inflammatory reaction than others,
for example nylon.

Haemostasis

Good haemostasis allows greater
surgical accuracy of dissection,
prevents haematomas and
promotes better healing. When
clamping, tying or cauterizing
vessels, prevent excessive tissue
damage.

Avoid tissue dessication

Long procedures may result in
the tissue surface drying out,
with fibrinogen deposition and
ultimately adhesion formation.
Periodic flushing with Ringer's
lactate solution is a sound surgical
principle.

Removal of surgical debris

Debride devitalised tissue, and
remove blood clots, necrotic debris,
foreign material, and charred

Wound closure

Choice of material

The appropriate needle and suture
combination allows atraumatic
tension, free tissue approximation,
with minimal reaction, and
sufficient tensile strength.

Elimination of dead space

Separation of wound edges
permits the collection of fluid
which promotes infection and
wound breakdown. Surgical drains
help reduce fluid collections.

Stress on wounds

Postoperative activity may
stress the wound during the
healing phase. Coughing stresses
abdominal fascia, and careful
wound closure prevents disruption.

203

Excessive tension causes tissue
necrosis, oedema and discomfort.
The length of the suture for
wound closure should be six times
length of the incision to prevent
excessive suture tension.

Choice Of Suture

Many surgeons have a personal
preference for sutures both as a
result of proficiency in a particular
technique and the suitable
handling characteristics of a
suture and needle. Knowledge
of the physical characteristics of
suture material, the requirements
of wound support, and the type
of tissue involved, is important
to ensure a suture used which
will retain its strength until
the wound heals sufficiently to
withstand stress. While most
suture materials cause some tissue
reaction, synthetic materials such
as polyglactin 910 tend to be less
reactive than natural fibers like
silk.

Suture Characteristics

The properties and characteristics
of the "ideal" suture are listed in
Table I

Table I: The Ideal Suture

Good handling and knotting characteristics

High tensile strength

Minimally reactive to tissue

Non capillary, non allergenic. The capillary
action of braided material promotes infec-
tion, as opposed to non-braided sutures

Resistant to shrinkage and contraction

Complete absorption after predictable
interval

Available in desired diameters and lenghth

Available with desired needle sizes

In general terms, the thinnest
suture to support the healing
tissue is best. This limits trauma
and, as a minimum of foreign
material is used, reduces local
tissue reaction and speeds re-
absorption. The tensile strength of
the material need not exceed that
of the tissue.

Monofilament vs. braided
material

Monofilament sutures (for
example nylon) are made from a
single strand of material, and are
less likely to harbor organisms than
multifilament braided material
(table II).

Because of its composition
monofilament material may have
a "memory" and care should be
taken when handling and tying
monofilament sutures - perhaps
a few extra throws on a proper
surgical knot would prevent
unravelling.

204

Table II:

Suture Properties

Mate-
rial

Prop- Compo-
erty sition

Made
from

Trade
Name

Tissue
Reactiv-
ity

Strength
Reten-
tion

Absorp-
tion

Natural

Absorb-
able

Spun

Plain gut

Consid-
erable

7-10
days

70 days

Chromic
gut

Moder-
ate

10-14
days

90 days

Non
absorb-
able

Braided

Silk

Acute
Inflam-
mation

6
months

2 years

Mono-
filament

Stainless

steel

wire

Minimal

Main-
tained

Nil

Syn-
thetic

Absorb-
able

Braided

Polygla-
ctin

Vicryl*

Minimal

50% at
21 days

70 days

Mono-
filament

Co-poly-
mer

Monocryl*

Minimal

40% at
14 days

4
months

Co-poly-
mer

PDS II*

Slight

50% at
28 days

6
months

Non
absorb-
able

Braided

Polyester

Ethibond*
Mersilene

Minimal

Main-
tained

Nil

Mono-
filament

Nylon

Minimal

20% per
year

Years

Polypro-
pylene

Prolene*

Minimal

Main-
tained

Nil

* Tradem;

rk

Minimal=

'very little", Slight="som(

Avoid nicking or crushing a
monofilament strand, as this may
create a point of weakness. They
have a smooth surface and so pass
easily though tissue. Nylon sutures
have high tensile strength and very
low tissue reactivity and degrade in
vivo at 1 5% per year by hydrolysis.
Fine nylon sutures are suitable for

use in micro-surgery applications,
and slightly heaver grades are
appropriate for skin closure.

Multifilament sutures consist of
several filaments braided together,
affording greater tensile strength,
pliability and flexibility with
good handling as a result. They

205

must be coated to reduce tissue
resistance and improve handling
characteristics. Because of their
inherent capillarity they are
more susceptible to harbouring
organisms than monofilament
sutures.

Absorbable vs. non-absorbable
materials

Absorbable sutures are prepared
from the collagen of animals or
from synthetic polymers. Catgut
is manufactured from sheep
submucosa or bovine serosa and
may be treated with chromium
salts to prolong absorption time.
Enzymes degrade the suture, with
an inflammatory response.
The loss of tensile strength and the
rate of absorption are separate
phenomena. A suture can lose
tensile strength rapidly and yet
be absorbed slowly. If a patient is
febrile or has a protein deficiency,
the suture absorption process may
accelerate, with a rapid loss of
tensile strength.

Non-absorbable sutures may be
processed from single or multiple
filaments of synthetic or organic
fibers rendered into a strand by
spinning, twisting or braiding.
They may be coated or uncoated,
uncoloured or dyed.

Specific Sutures And
Applications

Surgical gut

Absorbable surgical gut may be
plain or chromic, and spun from
strands of highly purified collagen.
The non -collagenous material
in surgical gut causes the tissue
reaction. Ribbons of collagen are
spun into polished strands, but
most protein-based absorbable
sutures have a tendency to fray
when tied. Surgical gut may be
used in the presence of infection,
but will then be more rapidly
absorbed. Surfaces may be
irregular and so traumatise tissue
during suturing.

Plain surgical gut is absorbed
within 70 days, but tensile strength
is maintained for only 7-10 days
post operation. Chromic gut is
collagen fiber tanned with chrome
tanning solution before being
spun into strands. Absorbsion is
prolonged to over 90 days, with
tensile strength preserved for 14
days. Chromic sutures produce
less tissue reaction than plain gut
during the early stages of wound
healing, but are unsuitable for
certain procedures , such as in
fertility surgery.

Recently, the use of sutures of

206

animal origin has been abandoned
in many countries because of the
theoretical possibility of prion
protein transmission, thought to
be responsible for Creutzfieldt-
Jakob disease.

Synthetic absorbable sutures

Synthetic absorbable sutures were
developed to counter the suture
antigenicity of surgical gut, with
its excess tissue reaction and
unpredictable rates of absorption.

Polyglactin 910 (i.e. Vicryl) is
braided copolymer of lactide and
glycolide, allowing approximation
of tissue during wound-healing
followed by rapid absorption.
At 3 weeks post-surgery 50% of
its tensile strength is retained.
The sutures may be coated with
a lubricant to facilitate better
handling properties of the
material. Absorption is minimal
until day 40, completed about 2
months after suture placement,
with only a mild tissue reaction.

Occasionally it is desirable to have
a rapid-absorbing synthetic suture,
such as Vicryl Rapide™. The suture
retains 50% of tensile strength
at 5 days, and since the knot
"falls off" in 7 to 10 days, suture
removal is eliminated. It is only
suitable for superficial soft tissue

approximation where short-term
support is desired, for example for
episiotomy repair.

Polyglecaprone 25 (i.e. monocryl™)
is a synthetic monofilament co-
polymer that is virtually tissue
inert, with predictable absorption
completed by 4 months. It has
high tensile strength initially,
but all strength is lost after one
month. It is useful for subcuticular
skin closure and soft-tissue
approximation, for example during
Caesarean Section.

Polydioxanone (i.e. PDS II™) is
absorbable and also monofilament
composition, but has more tissue
reaction than monocryl. It supports
wounds for up to 6 weeks, and is
absorbed by 6 months. Synthetic
absorbable monofilament sutures
are useful for subcutaneous skin
closure since they do not require
removal. This suture is suitable for
sheath closure at laparotomy.

Non absorbable sutures

Surgical silk consists of filaments
spun by silkworms, braided into a
suture which is dyed then coated
with wax or silicone. It loses most
its strength after a year, and
disappears after about 2 years.
Although it has superior handling
qualities, it elicits considerable

207

tissue reaction, so is seldom used in
gynaecology nowadays.

Synthetic non absorbable
sutures

Nylon sutures consist of a
polyamide monofilament with very
low tissue reactivity. Their strength
degrades at 20% per year, and the
sutures are absorbed after several
years. Because of the «memory» of
nylon, more throws of the knot are
required to secure a monofilament
suture than braided sutures. Nylon
sutures in fine gauges are suitable
for micro-surgery because of the
properties of high tensile strength
and low tissue reactivity.

Polyester sutures are composed of
braided fibers in a multifilament
strand. They are stronger than
natural fibres and exhibit less
tissue reaction. Mersilene*
synthetic braided sutures last
indefinitely, and Ethibond* is
coated with an inert covering
that improves suture handling,
minimises tissue reaction and
maintains suture strength. They
are unsuitable for suturing vaginal
epithelium, as they are non-
absorbable.

Polypropylene monofilament
sutures are synthetic polymers that
are not degraded or weakened
by tissue enzymes. They exhibit

minimal tissue reactivity, and
maintain tensile strength.
Prolene*, for example, has better
suture handling properties
than nylon, and may be used in
contaminated or infected wounds
to minimize sinus formation and
suture extrusion. They do not
adhere to tissue and are easily
removed.

Topical skin adhesions

Where skin edges appose under
low tension, it is possible to glue
edges together with glue, such
as Dermabond™. It is a sterile
liquid, and when applied onto
the skin (not into the wound)
seals in three minutes. It protects
and seals out common bacteria,
commonly associated with wound
infections, and promotes a
favourable, moist, wound healing
environment, speeding the rate
of epithelialisation. The adhesive
gradually peels off after 5-10
days with a good cosmetic result.
Subcutaneous sutures need to
be placed to appose skin edges
if topical skin adhesions are to
be used. It may especially be
used in cases of Laparoscopy to
close several small skin incisions,
and obviate the need for suture
removal. Skin adhesive use
eliminates the pain occasionally
associated with skin sutures, but is

208

unsuitable for vaginal use.

Adhesive Tapes

Adhesive tapes are used
approximating the edge of
lacerations or to provide increased
wound edge support and less
skin tension. This is important
if patients tend to form keloids
during scar healing. In this
case, the wound is closed with
monofilament absorbable sutures,
carefully cleaned, and sprayed
with surgical spray to promote
adhesive tape adhesion to the skin.
The wound is closed with a sterile
waterproof dressing after adhesive
tapes are placed to provide skin
support.

The dressing is removed after a
week, but the adhesive tapes are
allowed to fall off at a later stage.
They have minimal tissue reactivity
and yield the lowest infection rates
of any closure method.
Tapes do not approximate deeper
tissues, do not control bleeding,
and are unsuitable for use on
hairy areas or in the vagina. Apply
them gently to avoid unequal
distribution of skin tension, which
may result in blistering.

Choosing A Surgical
Needle

Fig 1 shows the anatomy of
the needle. A cutting needle is
designed to penetrate tough
tissue such as the sheath or skin.
Conventional cutting needles
have an inside cutting edge on
the concave curve of the needle,
with the triangular cutting blade
changing to a flattened body (See
Fig 2).

The curvature of the body is
flattened in the needle grasping
area for stability in the needle
holder, and longitudinal ridges
may be present to reduce rocking
or twisting in the needle holder.

Reverse cutting needles have a
third cutting edge on the outer
convex curvature of the needle,
making for a strong needle able to
penetrate very tough skin or tissue
(See fig 3).

Taper point needles are round, and
so pierce and spread tissue without
cutting it. The body profile flattens
to an oval or rectangular shape
to prevent needle rotation in the
needle holder. They are preferred
for atraumatic work with the
smallest hole being desirable, in
easily penetrated tissue, but are

209

not suitable for stitching skin (See
Fig 4).

Tapercut needles combine the
features of the reverse - cutting
edge tip and taper point needle.
The trochar point readily
penetrates tough tissue, with a
round body, moving smoothly
through tissue without cutting
surrounding tissue (See Fig 5).

Blunt point needles have a
rounded, blunt point that does not
cut through tissue. They are used
for general closure of tissue and
fascia especially when performing
procedures on at-risk patients (See
Fig 6).

Tissue trauma is increased if
the needle bends during tissue
penetration, and a weak needle
damages structures and may snap.
Reshaping a bent needle may
make it less resistant to bending
and breaking. Needles are not
designed to manipulate tissue or to
be used as retractors to lift tissue.
Ensure the needle is stable in the
grasp of a needle holder. The
grasping area is usually flattened,
and heavier needles are ribbed as
well as flattened to resist rotating
in the needle holder (See Fig 7).
Most sutures are attached to
swaged needles, without the need

for an "eye" in the needle. Eyed
needles need to be threaded, and
create a larger hole with greater
tissue disruption than a swaged
needle. The swaged end of needle
is securely crimped over the suture
material, and may be available
with the controlled release option.
This feature allows rapid suture
placement and a slight, straight
tug will release it from the needle
to allow tying. Avoid grasping
the needle holder at the swaged
end. This may be weaker than
the flattened body and cause
disintegration of the needle.

Abdominal wound closure

Modern sutures are uniform and
strong and wound dehiscence will
only be due to suture failure in
exceptional circumstances, with
improper tying of knots or damage
to the suture by instruments. The
suture can cut through if wide
enough bites are not taken and if
the suture is too tight. Premature
loss of strength only occurs with
absorbable sutures, especially
catgut.

The closure of low transverse
incisions is simplified by the
fact that they generally heal
well, with a low incidence of
dehiscence and hernia whatever
suture is used. Closure of midline

210

incisions presents more problems.
The integrity of any wound is
completely dependant on the
suture until reparative tissue has
bridged the wound. First principles
therefore indicate that rapidly
absorbable sutures will have a
greater tendency to fail than non-
absorbable sutures. Studies have
shown that catgut is associated
with an unacceptably high risk of
evisceration and incisional hernia
and should not be used.

Experimental work on rats has
shown that mass closure with
monofilament nylon significantly
reduces the dehiscence rate
compared with braided suture, as
bacteria reside in the interstices
of infected multifilament sutures.
However, in some patients,
removal of suture material
will be required due to sinus
formation. Delayed absorbable
sutures have been assessed
for abdominal wound closure
and it was found that wound
dehiscence is similar without the
problem of sinus formation. A
randomised controlled trial of
polyglyconate (Maxon™) versus
nylon in 225 patients showed that
polyglyconate was as effective
at two-year follow-up. Suture
length should be approximately
four times to six times the length

of the wound to allow for the
30% increase in abdominal
circumference postoperatively.
Permanent sutures should still
be considered where the risk of
wound failure is particularly high.

Closure of the peritoneum was
shown in 1977 to be unnecessary,
this was confirmed in 1990 by a
randomised controlled trial.

Skin closure

In gynaecological practice, there
are many options for skin closure,
but cosmesis is more important
than in general surgery where the
avoidance of infection is more of a
concern. Lower transverse incisions
heal well because of the lack of
tension. Full-thickness interrupted
stitches must not be too tight as
oedema may lead to disfiguring
crosshatching, particularly
if infection forms along the
track. Very thin monofilament
absorbable or non-absorbable
sutures are preferable but a
subcuticular stitch leaves less of a
scar (Figure I). Similar assessment
of laparoscopy scars suggests that
subcuticular polyglactin (Vicryl™)
is better than transdermal nylon.
Staples are popular because there
is less chance of bacterial migration
into the wound, although the risk
of infection in most gynaecological

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surgery is low. Properly conducted
clinical trials have shown the only
benefit of staples to be speed,
there is more wound pain and a
worse cosmetic result compared
with subcuticular sutures.

Hints And Tips

Personal preference will always
play a part in needle and suture
selection, but the final choice will
depend on various factors that
influence the healing process,
the characteristics of the tissue
and potential post-operative
complications.

Close slow-healing tissues (i.e.
fascia or sheath) with non-
absorbable or long-lasting
absorbable material, i.e. Pds or
vicryl.

Close fast-healing tissue such as
a bladder with rapidly absorbed
sutures. Non-absorbable sutures
such as nylon form a nidus for
stone formation. Foreign bodies
in potentially contaminated tissue
may convert contamination into
infection. So avoid multifilament,
braided sutures under these
circumstances - rather use
monofilament material.

Where cosmetic results are
important, close and prolonged
skin opposition is desired, so
thin, inert material such as nylon
or polypropylene is best. Close
subcutaneously when possible,
and use sterile skin closure strips
to secure close opposition of skin
edges when circumstances permit.
Try to use the finest suture size
commensurate with the inherent
tissue strength to be sutured.

Conclusion

With a little thought and
preparation we should use the
suture and needle best suited
to the surgery which is being
performed. It is essential that we
are aware of what is available
and how it may best be utilized.
Surgical training should include
the characteristics and applications
of sutures and needles.

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Chapter 25

Thromboprophylaxis in
Urogynaecological Surgery

Barry Jacobson

When the gynaecologist decides
that a woman requires surgery
for prolapse or incontinence, it is
essential that a decision be made
as to whether she requires peri-
operative thromboprophylaxis.

The first decision is based on the
risk factors for that particular
patient. Any patient who has had
a previous venous thromboembolic
(VTE) event is obviously at high
risk. Other important risk factors
include an underlying malignancy,
age more than 76 years, use of an
estrogen containing product and
obesity. A relatively simple scoring
table promoted by the Southern
African Society of Thrombosis and
Haemostasis has been devised.
(See attached table). Note that
smoking is not a risk factor.

There is a paucity of randomized
data on the risk of thrombosis
after gynaecological surgery,
especially non oncological

gynaecological surgery. Patients
should be divided into open versus
laparoscopic surgery. Patients
undergoing "open" surgery,
including vaginal surgery, should
be given low molecular weight
heparin prophylaxis routinely.
The debate arises in laparoscopic
surgery, which appears to have a
very low risk of VTE. Furthermore
prescribing anticoagulation to
these patients increases the risk of
minor bleeding and this therefore
could potentially increase the rate
of having to convert a laparoscopic
procedure to an open procedure.

Although there is little data to
support the use of intermittent
pneumatic compression devices,
the European Association
for Endoscopic Surgery has
recommended that they be
used routinely for all prolonged
laparoscopic procedures. The
American guidelines mandated
that patients undergoing

213

laparoscopic procedures who do
not have additional risk factors
should not be offered any
thromboprophylaxis other than
early and frequent ambulation.

The Author suggests that the
European recommendation should
be followed. All patients who
have additional VTE risk factors

should be offered LMWH as well
as the graduated compression
stockings.

So in summary, any patient having
a laparotomy ought to receive
LMWH thromboprophylaxis,
generally given 6 hours after
surgery.

Thrombosis Risk Factor Assessment

Choose All That Apply

Each Risk Factor Represents 1 point

Each Risk Represents 3 points

• Age 41 -60 years

• Age > 75 years

• Minor surgery planned

• History of DVT/PE

• History of prior major surgery (< 1 month)

• Family history of thrombosis

• Varicose veins (large)

• Positive factor V Leiden

• History of inflammatory bowel disease

• Positive prothrombin 2021 0A

• Swollen legs (current)

• Positive lupus anticoagulant

• Overweight (BMI >25 kg/m2)

• Elevated anticardiolipin antibodies

• Acute myocardial infarction

• Other congenital or acquired throrr

bophilia

• Congestive heart failure (CHF) (<1 month)

• Sepsis (< 1 month)

• Serious lung disease including pneumonia

(<1 month)

• Abnormal pulmonary function (COPD)

• Medical patient currently at best rest

Risk Factor Score

Total Risk Factor Score Incidence of DVT* Risk Level

0- 1

< 10%

Low Risk

2

10-20 %

Moderate Risk

3 -4

20 - 40 %

High Risk

5 or more

40 - 80 %

Highest Risk

214

Prophylaxis Safety Considerations: Check box if answers if "yes'

Anticoagulants: Factors Associated with Increased Bleeding

Is patient experiencing any active bleeding?

Does patient have (or had a history of) HIT?

Is patient's platelet count < 100.000/mm 3?

Is patient taking oral anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors (e.g. NSAIDS, Clopidogrel, salicylates)?

Is patient's Creatinine clearance abnormal? Please indicate value:

If any of the above boxes are checked, the patient may not be a candidate for anticoagulant
therapy and should be considered for alternative prophylactic measure.

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression (IPC)

Does patient have severe peripheral arterial disease?

Does patient have CHF?

Does patient have an acute/superficial DVT?

If any of the above boxes are checked, the patient may not be a candidate for IPC therapy and
should be considered for alternative prophylactic measures.

215

Textbook of^/J
Urogynaecology

The field of urogynaecology has expanded dramatically over
the past decade with the advent of a number of new medical
and surgical treatment modalities. The evidence base on pelvic
floor dysfunction has also grown extensively. This multi-
contributor text, authored by a multi-disciplinary team of
experts from around South Africa, concisely summarises the
most up-to-date concepts and management strategies in
urogynaecology. It will prove invaluable to gynaecology, urol-
ogy and surgery registrars and specialists. Physiotherapists and
nurses working in the field of urogynaedcology will also find it
extremely useful.

Editors:

Stephen Jeffery
Peter de Jong